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Electrical Outlet Safety

One possible cause of an electrical fire is a worn-out or faulty outlet. Do a walk-through of your home inside and out, looking at each outlet. Make sure the cover is intact: There should be no exposed wires or gaps between the outlet cover and the surrounding wall. If there are any cracks around the holes of the outlet, anything that looks damaged should be replaced.

  1. Updated Outlets

    • Older homes with two-prong outlets may have outdated wiring. Consult an electrician for an assessment of your home's wiring. Consider updating the wiring and installing grounded outlets. Install three-prong grounded outlets to use with two- or three-prong appliances. These outlets require a grounding wire present in the receptacle; if a grounding wire isn't present, you should not install these outlets because they won't be grounded.

      Another option is ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, which are recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as the safest protection from possible electrocution. A GFCI detects ground faults and interrupts the flow of electricity, which can prevent fires or decrease their severity.

    Damaged Outlets

    • One cause of injuries and accidents is improperly maintained outlets. The cover should completely encase the wiring and be fastened securely. If the cover becomes cracked, replace it. Remove and replace the outlet if the receptacle chips or cracks. Inspect your outlets periodically, especially those in high-use areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. If the plug is loose in the outlet, double-check it for wear---a loose plug may be a potential hazard (plugs should fit snugly).

    Safe Use of Plugs in Outlets

    • Hold the plug securely in your hand when plugging and unplugging. Do not pull the cord to unplug it---it may come out at an angle that can damage the outlet (or damage the cord). Don't overload an outlet with multiple adapters or power strips. Don't try to fit a three-prong appliance plug into a two-prong outlet or use an extension cord to convert the three prongs to two prongs. A three-prong appliance needs a grounded three-hole outlet. Make sure plugs are fully inserted into the outlet. When unplugging an appliance, turn it off before unplugging it to avoid damage to the outlet.

    Children and Electrical Outlets

    • Every year young children are injured by placing small objects into electrical outlets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 1,300 youngsters are treated annually in hospital emergency rooms for shocks and burns received when children insert keys or hairpins into outlets. If young children live in or visit your home, cover any unused outlets with plastic safety plugs or other products specifically designed to keep children safe.

    Outdoor Outlets

    • All the above safety precautions apply to outdoor outlets as well. In addition, replace two-prong outlets with GFCI-approved, three-hole grounded receptacles. Test the outlet to see if it's grounded by using a circuit tester found at hardware stores, or contact a professional electrician. Replace the wiring if it's not grounded, since you'll likely be using power tools and other equipment in various weather conditions that require the safety of a grounded outlet.

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