Electrical Safety Instructions

Electricity is around us all the time. Powering our electronics, lights and appliances, it offers many conveniences we sometimes take for granted. Always remember, however, electricity's ability to cause injury or start fire. A couple tips can be helpful for staying safe while using or working with electricity.

Instructions

• 1

  Overloading a power outlet with too many adapters or power bars makes for danger. Do not plug an adapter into another adapter to create more outlets. Instead, use a different outlet that does not have additional devices plugged into it, even if the location is not as convenient. This not only diminishes the possibility of blowing a breaker in the house, but minimizes the danger of starting a fire.

• 2

  Unplug electrical items you do not use regularly. If you will not be home for a significant length of time, switch off and unplug all electrical items. Devices left plugged in pose a fire risk and waste energy. When unplugging items, always pull the plug head, not the cord.

• 3

  Practice caution when using electrical items around water. Never use an electric device in the bathroom unless it is meant for the environment, such as electric shavers and toothbrushes. When using electric items designed for the bathroom, never plug in or unplug a device while your hands are wet.

• 4

  Replace damaged cords or sockets immediately. Cords or outlets with exposed wires can cause electric shocks. If you have young children in the home, consider using plastic outlet safety covers that shield outlets not in use.

• 5

  Turn off the main breaker in your home when doing any electrical repairs, no matter how small, because turning off the device is not always enough to prevent electric shock. Always use the proper circuit breakers, fuses and other electrical parts when replacing or repairing items. As well, replace light bulbs with new ones of the proper wattage.