Electrical Safety, Is Your Home Or Office Up To Code?

Homeowners and business owners, it’s time for an electrical safety audit!

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI) promotes electrical safety in the home, school and workplace. They have an annual campaign on electrical safety every May. In honor of their efforts, we have the following electrical safety tips as suggestions for keeping your home or workplace safe.

• Safely use extension cords: Faulty wiring is a large cause of house fires. Extension cords and power strips are a major source of wiring problems. Inspect extension cords annually to make sure they are free from broken connectors or frayed insulation. Throw away and replace damaged extension cords. Use only surge protected power strips and do not overload them.
• Keep electrical equipment away from water: Water conducts electricity, so exposure of electrical wires and equipment can lead to injury or death. Be sure to wipe up any spills when using electrical equipment. Keep appliances, cords, and equipment away from water. If you must use appliances or other electrical equipment around water (such as a kitchen or bathroom), be sure to only plug them into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets.
• Do not overload outlets: Your home or workplace is engineered for each outlet or circuit to deliver a certain amount of electricity. If you plug too many electrical devices into an outlet, you could create a fire hazard.
• Unplug appliances when not used: The potential risks of fire or shock hazards outweighs leaving appliances plugged in when not in use. If you are going to be out of town or otherwise know you will not be using an electrical device for a while, unplug it.

For more information on how to do a home or work electrical safety audit, you can find EFSI resources here.