1. Electrical Safety Month May is electrical safety month and is used to raise awareness of electrical safety issues that could cause harm to people and property. These electrical safety practices should be kept in mind wherever you are, all year long.

2. SAFETY TIPS Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician. When you are buying or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified electrician. Only plug one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) into a receptacle outlet at a time. Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extension cords and plug strips should not be used. Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are a kind of circuit breaker that shuts off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs. Consider having them installed in your home. Use a qualified electrician. Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard. They should be installed inside the home in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. All outdoor receptacles should be GFCI protected. Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month to make sure they are working properly. Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords. Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. There should be a sticker on the lamp that indicates the maximum wattage light bulb to use.

3. Overhead Power Lines We don't often think about power lines, but if you do any work outdoors staying a safe distance away could save your life. Power lines are the single biggest cause of electrocution, both on the job and at home. Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated. Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company or 911 to report fallen electrical lines. Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires. If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle. Do not attempt to leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call 911. Never let children climb utility poles, towers, pad mounted transformers or trees near power lines. Ladders, regardless of what they're made of, can become electrified if brought into contact with electric wires. Even a wooden ladder can conduct electricity. Bear that in mind and use extra caution when you or your contractor are installing siding or painting, cleaning gutters or have other reason to use a ladder while working outside around your home.

4. Extension Cords Extension cords offer a convenient solution for delivering power right where it’s needed on a temporary basis. Proper selection and use of extension cords is critical to avoiding injuries. An estimated 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year, killing and injuring more than 300 people. Nearly 4,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for non-fire related extension cord injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and electrical burns.

5. Extension Cords For your protection, power cord labels are printed with handy product specs that tell you the cord’s length, size (wire gauge), wattage, and proper usage environment (indoors or outdoors).indoorsoutdoors When shopping for extension cords, only purchase those that bear the UL symbol. The presence of the UL mark tells you that samples of that particular type of cord have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories and received consumer safety approval. Don’t use extension cords with cut or damaged insulation… exposed conducting wires can put you at risk for fire, burns and electrical shock. Do not cut, file, or otherwise alter an extension cord’s grounding pin or plug blades to make it easier to plug into an outlet! If the extension cord plug doesn’t fit into an older outlet, have an electrician replace the receptacle. Extended exposure to outdoor conditions can cause cords to deteriorate, so whether they’re rated for indoors or outdoors, store all extension cords inside when they’re not in use. To avoid potential safety hazards, always remember to unplug extension cords when they’re not in use.

6. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) GFCIs have saved thousands of lives over the last three decades. Found mostly in areas where electrical products might come in contact with water. A GFCI is a special type of electrical outlet designed to cut off power before an electrical shock can occur. GFCIs should be tested every month to ensure they are in working order by using the test button on the front of the GFCI.

7. IMPORTANT REMINDER Call a qualified electrician or your landlord if you have: – Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers – A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance – Discolored or warm wall outlets – A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance – Flickering or dimming lights – Sparks from an outlet