Safety - Davie Electrical - Residential and Commercial Electricians

Appliances

Appliances are an integral part of every household, from a simple electric clock to the microwave oven. These safety tips can help keep all appliances operating safely:

Appliance Safety Tips

It’s important to ensure that any appliances you purchase are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Unplug unused appliances and stow cords safely out of reach of pets, young children or hazardous situations.
Items that generate any sort of heat (clocks, televisions and computer monitors), should be given several inches of clearance all around for good air circulation and cooling. Do not drape clothes, toys or other items over warm appliances.
Always follow appliance instructions carefully, and do not attempt any repairs or upgrades on your own.
Keep all electrical appliances away from water such as sinks, bathtubs, pools or overhead vents that may drip.
Do not operate any electrical appliance with wet hands or while standing in water.
Keep clothes, curtains, toys and other potentially combustible materials away from radiators, space heaters, heating vents and other heat sources.

Cords

Every electrical appliance has a cord, and many homes use extension cords to increase the range of electrical outlets. These safety tips can help keep cords in good condition for safe operation:

Cord Safety Tips

Check cords regularly for frays, cracks or kinks, including power tool cords, holiday lights and extension cords.
Cords should be firmly plugged in to outlets – if the cord is loose and can pull out easily, choose a different, more snug outlet.
Do not staple or nail cords in position at any time; if the cord does not remain where desired, use tape or twist ties to secure it.
Do not make modifications to a cord’s plug at any time – do not clip off the third prong or attempt to file down a wider prong to fit in a different outlet.
Extension cords are a temporary solution only, and their use should be minimized whenever possible.
Use the proper weight and length of extension cord for the appropriate task, and be sure the cord is rated for indoor or outdoor use, whichever is required.
When unplugging a cord, pull on the plug at the outlet rather than tug on the cord itself.

Everyone Should Follow These Safety Tips

Think about what is in your home for a moment. Think about just one room.
How many outlets are in that room? What are they powering? Lights? Chargers? TVs? Appliances? A home’s electricity is probably taken for granted more than just about anything else in it. It’s also why it’s good to brush up on the potential hazards that your home’s electricity poses to you and your family.

Being safe when using electrical appliances, extension cords, light bulbs and other equipment is easy, and safety tips should be included in household rules, homeschool fire safety and daily behavior expectations for all members of the family. It only takes one mistake to spark an electrical fire, but simple prevention measures can be effective solutions.

Outlets

Every cord has to plug into an appropriate electrical outlet, but these tempting niches are inviting to unwelcome objects that can cause shorts and fires. Use these electrical safety tips at home to keep outlets safe:

Outlet safety tips

Do not overload outlets with multiple adaptors or power strips; relocate cords instead.
Never put any object other than the appropriate sized plug into an outlet.
Install ground fault circuit interrupter outlets in potentially hazardous areas such as near pools, crawl spaces, kitchens, bathrooms and unfinished basements.
Keep all outlets properly covered with secure plates that cover all wiring.

Light Bulbs

Light bulbs are the single most common electrical fixture in homes, and proper light bulb safety can keep them from becoming a common electrical hazard.

Light bulb safety tips

Consider switching to more efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs that provide the same level of light at a lower wattage level.
Always screw bulbs in tightly; a loose bulb can cause sparks or shorts.
Be sure to unplug or turn off a fixture completely before changing light bulbs.

General Tips

General electricity safety tips

Replace any tools or appliances that put off even mild electric shocks.
Replace any light switches that have a tendency to flicker.
Replace any light switches that are hot to the touch.
Avoid overloading extension cords, sockets and plugs.
Never force a three-prong plug into a two-receptacle socket.
Know where fuse boxes and circuit breakers are located as well as how to properly operate them.
Never attempt electrical repairs or rewiring without proper certification and experience.
Do not put water on an electrical fire; use a dry fire extinguisher or baking soda instead.

Even though electricity is commonplace, there is still quite a bit of danger associated with improper use. Carefully observe all safety measures when using electricity to keep yourself – and your family – safe.