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   Are You Up to Code on Electrical Safety?
   

Electrical safety: It sounds basic, even easy, but every day people are doing things around the house than can be potentially dangerous.

Ask yourself the following: Are your kitchen and bathrooms protected with outlets that automatically shut off the electrical current if they come in contact with water or an object?Are your computers and appliances protected against power surges? Have you used lightweight, indoor extension cords for heavy duty outdoor work?

In the Kitchen and Bathrooms
• Make sure that all electrical outlets near water sources are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI'S).
• If you have any appliance cords with torn or cut insulation, replace them. And, don't Touch. Touching even a single exposed strand of wire can give you an electrical shock or burn if it is plugged in.
• It is smart to unplug all small appliances when they are not in use. If by chance you do come in contact with an appliance which has fallen into water, DON'T reach in to get it. Always unplug the item before you retrieve it.

In the Living Room or Family Room
• Make sure that any extension cords you use are only temporary.
• Check to see that any extension cords are running on top of, not under rugs. Walking on cords can break wiring and possibly cause a fire.

• Only buy extension cords and other electrical products that are tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

• Look for multiple outlet strips or surge protectors that feature outlet safety covers, to protect your children from putting fingers or objects into outlets.

In Case of a Power Outage
If you have experienced a power outage in your home (a blown fuse, for instance), follow these simple instructions:
• Turn off and disconnect lamps and appliances that were in use when the power went out.
• Make sure your hands are dry and you are standing on a dry surface.
• Replace the fuse or tripped circuit.
• Check to see why you may have a blown fuse: Are you overloading the circuits by having too many things plugged into a single outlet?

With these simple steps, you may be doing a whole lot more than just keeping yourself electrically safe: you may be saving lives.

Electrical hazards cause up to 150,000 fires per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

For electrical work that needs to be done on your home or business, please call DIAL ONE Pat Bryant Electric at 455-4100 or 738-5686.