Protect your home sweet home
May is National Electrical Safety Month
Your home is a place to feel safe and secure, but electrical hazards may be hiding inside. Do you know how to spot them? Follow these room-by-room tips to prevent accidents, and keep your home and loved ones safe.
- Bathrooms
Water and electricity don’t mix. Ground fault circuity interrupter (GFCI) outlets can protect you from electric shock. Test these outlets monthly, and keep hair dryers and other bathroom electronics away from water.
- Living room and bedrooms
Loose-fitting plugs can overheat and cause electrical fires. Check your appliances to ensure the plugs fit correctly in each outlet. Never cover cords with rugs or furniture, and keep cords untangled and away from foot traffic.
- Kids and pets
Keep electrical cords away from young children and animals, and protect outlets with safety covers. Check all appliances and electronics for frayed or damaged cords and discard those in poor condition.
- Home office
Don’t cover fans or air vents on electronics. Keep the vents clean by dusting them regularly. Check items periodically for overheating and unplug them if necessary. Don’t overload plugs, and never use extension cords as a permanent solution.
- Kitchen
Check appliances to make sure they’re in good working condition. Unplug countertop appliances when not in use – this will also save you energy. Don’t keep cords or combustibles near the stove or heat.
- Garage and outdoors
Inspect your power tools for damaged cords. If you’re mixing outdoor work with water, keep your cords high and dry. Don’t place flammable objects near wires or outlets, and never use a ladder near power lines.