Tackle spring cleaning
Your stay-safe checklist
Before you start dusting, organizing, planting, or painting, remember the most important rule for spring cleaning is safety! Whether you’re working indoors or outside, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. Read through our electrical safety tips and check them off, one by one.
Look up for power lines before you begin any outdoor projects — and remember, lines can be buried underground. Remember to stay clear of overhead lines while you work, and call 811 before you dig.
Indoors
Inspect cleaning appliances, including electric mops, vacuums, and other gadgets for frayed or damaged cords.
Make sure you always plug major appliances like washers and dryers directly into a wall outlet and never into power strips or extension cords.
Test ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets monthly. To do so, plug a nightlight into the outlet and turn the light on. Push the “Test” button; the light should go off. Then, push the “Reset” button to ensure the light turns back on.
Outdoors
Look up for power lines before you begin any outdoor projects — and remember, lines can be buried underground. Remember to stay clear of overhead lines while you work, and call 811 before you dig.
Aluminum ladders and non-metallic fiberglass ladders can conduct electricity if they’re dirty or wet — keep these and all items at least 10 feet from lines.
Never use electric lawnmowers on wet grass.
If you wash your car, don’t use any electric appliances, such as a vacuum cleaner, in wet areas.