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Safeguard your home - Making the connection to electricity safely |
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Your home is wired with switches, receptacles and light fixtures. Wire runs behind the wall out of sight and connects to devices. You can not check hidden wires but you have the ability to check the exposed devices and to determine where you may have a safety issue.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 1999 there were an estimated 38,400 total electrically related home structure fires, with electrical wiring including switches, receptacles and outlets accounting for 16,300 fires with cords, plugs and extension cords accounting for another 6,400 fires. It is worthy to take a few moments and review the following information and then check your home wiring.
Light Bulbs
Some are cool such as fluorescents; some are hot such as halogen bulbs. Commons sense dictates you keep hot bulbs such as halogen lights away from flammable materials. How about making sure we protect our young ones and keep the torchier lamps out of the bedrooms and away from children who could knock them down. Make sure to size the light bulb with the rating of the light fixture you are using including the lamps on the table as well as your ceiling fixtures. Check to make sure your bulbs fit tightly. Loose bulbs over heat and can cause arcing and fires.
Extension cords
They should be in good condition, used as a temporary measure and sized correctly to the intended use. When you leave an extension cord in place permanently you run the risks. Insulation deteriorates over time which can lead to shocks and extension cords can catch on fire. If you need to rely upon extension cords, then consider adding some outlets to the room. If you are not sure, speak to an electrician or solicit some help from the hardware store personal that specialize in electrical components.
Power Cords
Inspect on a regular basis to make sure they are in good condition. If the cord heats up, then it needs to be replaced ASAP.
Power cord safety
- Do not remove the ground pin form the plug. It is there for a reason.
- When you are finished using an appliance, unplug it.
- When plugging into a receptacle, make sure it fits snugly and that it is all the way in.
- Do not splice cords. This is dangerous. Replace the cord.
- When buying electrical items verify they have the underwriters laboratories listing (UL),
- Cords can be a trip hazard and you should be very cautious as to where these cords are positioned.
- If a plug will not fit into a receptacle, then refrain from applying force.
- Do not pull or yank a cord out of the receptacle by the wire. Grasp the plug.
Circuit Breakers, Panel boxes
Do not over fuse or under fuse based on the rating of the wire. Many people make the mistake of increasing the fuse size if the breaker or fuse continues to trip. Label all breakers or fuses clearly so that in an emergency you can get to your circuits quickly. If there is an open slot in the breaker panel, then insert a slot holder to close off the opening.
There should be a minimum of 3 feet of clearance around your electrical panel box so that it can be accessed in an emergency. Do not store anything near your panel box.
Surge Protectors and power strips
Make sure you size all of your devices to the circuit that the surge protector is plugged into. Just because you buy a surge protector with power strip attachment does not mean you can load the power strip up. Check the rating of the surge protector to make sure you are not overloading it. Overloading will cause the protector to fail when you need it. Check with your local power company to see if they can hook up a whole house surge protector.
Receptacle, Outlets
Receptacles can be very deceptive and it is important to understand some of the workings of a good receptacle. You can invest in a very inexpensive tester that will identify wiring issues behind those receptacle covers.
Watch out for:
- Loose plugs in the receptacle.
- Over heating of receptacles.
- Too many devices plugged into the receptacle.
- Broken or damaged cover plates.
- Open receptacles where children play
- Burn marks on the covers or receptacles.
- Non GFCI receptacles close to water
- Continued tripping of the circuit when you plug into the receptacle.
Common Sense solutions
It is raining outside. Do not use electrical power equipment such as lawnmowers or tools.
It is storming and lightening: Refrain from using appliances such as toasters and mixers. This is not the time to take a bath. If you are in an area that is susceptible to lighting storms then consider a whole house surge protector.
Do not ever mix water with electricity. If you have an issue, then turn the power off at the source before attempting to correct the situation. Do not reach into water to remove a live electrical wire.
If you have to think about it, then stop and correct the condition.
Think before you act. When it comes to electricity your life is at stake.
Not sure, then call an inspector or an electrician to perform a full electrical inspection of your home. Then follow through and make the needed repairs.
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Homeowner Tips 
