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Electrical Safety Tips
- Avoid these common electrical hazards around your home – check for:
- Overloaded electrical outlets can cause overheating and present potential electrical hazards. If additional outlets are required to meet your needs contact a qualified or licensed electrical contractor
- Frayed and damaged electrical cords can present potential shock and fire hazards. Electrical cords should be checked to ensure they are not frayed or damaged exposing electrical wires. Damaged cords should be replaced. Check to ensure that you are using extension cords in line with manufacturer’s direction, and note that these should not be used as permanent wiring.
- Test your Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets to ensure they are working properly (click here)
- Recognize the signs of potential electrical issues around your home and contact a qualified or licensed electrician to address these issues – watch for:
- circuit breakers that trip or fuses that blow repeatedly,
- dim and flickering lights,
- unusual sizzling and buzzing sounds from your electrical system
- A list of essential tips to advance electrical safety.
- A simple home electrical safety checklist offered by the Fire Safety Council will support you conduct a basic assessment of your home’s electrical system, cords and outlets.
- A detailed safety checklist prepared by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission will support you in conducting a room-by-room assessment to keep your family safe.
- Review electrical safety considerations and options for your home. (ESFI Safety Workbook)
- As technology evolves new devices and standards have been created to keep us safer in our homes.
- GFCI and AFCI protection are fundamental safety devices that offer further protection to our homes electrical system beyond circuit breakers. TRRs have spring-loaded shutters that close off the contact openings, or slots, of the receptacles making the home a safer place for children. All of these devices are now required under Codes and Standards for new construction and/or renovations. Contact a qualified electrical contractor if you are interested in installing GFCIs and AFCIs in your home. Click here for more information.
- ALWAYS ensure electrical products and components are approved for use, not counterfeit, and are being used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. (learn more)
