Home Electrical Safety

Overview

Ensuring electrical safety in your home involves regular maintenance and mindful practices to prevent accidents and hazards. Essential tips include cleaning exhaust fans to avoid overheating, inspecting and replacing damaged electrical cords, and following appliance instructions diligently. Keep electrical devices dry, avoid overloading outlets, and organize cords safely. Unplug unused appliances, ensure proper air circulation, and use the correct wattage bulbs. Particular caution is necessary with heaters, and outdated wiring should be replaced with modern systems. Regular electrical inspections, installing GFCIs in water-prone areas, and using surge protectors are also crucial. Understanding the electrical panel, conducting thorough inspections, and scheduling maintenance is vital for new homeowners. Adhering to safety rules for extension cords, temporary wiring, and equipment power cords, alongside regular inspections and installing proper safeguards, further enhances safety. Inside and outside the home, follow specific do’s and don’ts to prevent fires and ensure the safe operation of electrical systems and devices.

Comprehensive Electrical safety tips for your home:

  • Clean Exhaust Fans Regularly: Dirty or clogged exhaust fans can cause appliances to work harder and pose fire hazards. Regularly clean exhaust fans to prevent overheating and ensure proper ventilation.
  • Replace Damaged Electrical Cords: Regularly inspect power cords for any signs of wear, such as fraying or cracking. Replace or repair damaged cords promptly to prevent fire hazards and electrocution. Avoid running cords under rugs or furniture.
  • Follow Appliance Instructions: Always read and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for each appliance. If you experience even a slight electrical shock from an appliance, discontinue use immediately and have it inspected by a qualified electrician.
  • Keep Electrical Devices Dry: Keep electrical equipment away from water sources to avoid damage and lower the risk of electrical hazards.
  • Avoid Overloading Outlets: To prevent overloading, refrain from plugging too many devices into electrical outlets. Use extension cords and power strips correctly, and to prevent overloading, ensure that each outlet accommodates only one appliance that generates heat at a time.. Consider using smart plugs to monitor the power load on your outlets.
  • Organize and Secure Cords: Store cords safely to prevent damage. Keep them out of reach of children and pets, avoid wrapping them tightly around objects, and never place them on hot surfaces.
  • Disconnect Unused Appliances: To conserve energy and protect appliances from overheating or power surges, unplug them when not in use. Smart plugs can help set power schedules for each outlet.
  • Ensure Proper Air Circulation: Appliances need adequate air circulation to avoid overheating. Do not run appliances in enclosed spaces; keep flammable objects away from appliances and electronics.
  • Use the Correct Wattage: Ensure you use the correct bulbs in all lamps, fixtures, and appliances. Using the appropriate bulbs helps prevent electrical problems and ensures safe operation.
  • Be Cautious with Heaters: Keep combustible items away from heaters and water heaters to prevent accidents. Ensure portable heaters are placed on stable surfaces and operated away from drapes and other flammable materials.

Electrical tips for new homeowners to ensure the safety and efficiency of their homes:

  • Replace Outdated Wiring and Components: Consider replacing outdated wiring systems like aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring with modern copper wiring to ensure safety and meet current electrical code requirements.
  • Familiarize yourself with the electrical panel: Understand how your electrical panel works and locate each circuit breaker to address any electrical issues in the future quickly.
  • Conduct a Thorough Electrical Inspection: Hire a qualified electrician to inspect the wiring, outlets, circuit breakers, and electrical panel to identify potential hazards or outdated components.
  • Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): To safeguard against electrical shocks in areas prone to water exposure—such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and outdoor outlets—install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs).
  • Schedule Regular Electrical Maintenance: Schedule professional electrical inspections every few years to identify potential issues early and maintain the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical system.
  • Protect Your Electronics with Surge Protectors: Install surge protectors to protect sensitive electronic devices from electrical surges and ensure longevity.
  • Extension Cords and Avoid Overloading Outlets: To prevent overheating and potential hazards, distribute your electrical load across multiple outlets and power strips, and refrain from daisy-chaining extension cords.
  • Regularly Test and Replace Smoke Detectors: Test smoke detectors regularly, replace batteries annually, and replace detectors every ten years to ensure early fire detection and save lives.
  • Exercise Caution with DIY Electrical Projects: Leave central electrical installations or repairs to licensed electricians to avoid injuries or hazards from attempting complex electrical tasks without proper knowledge and training.
  • Be Mindful of Outdoor Electrical Safety: Ensure outdoor electrical outlets are weatherproof and rated for outdoor use, use weatherproof covers, and call utility companies to mark buried electrical lines before digging in the yard.

Guidelines for home electrical safety to reduce the risk of fires

Here are some home electrical safety tips and regulations to help prevent fires, focusing on extension cord safety, temporary wiring safety, equipment power cord safety, routine inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment, and safeguards to install on electrical equipment:

Extension Cord Safety Rules:

  • Using extension cords as a permanent fix for building wiring issues is not advisable.
  • Check extension cords for damage, broken connectors, and missing hardware before each use.
  • Do not route extension cords through walls, beams, corners, or doorways.
  • Use extension cords that are approved for the specific environment and expected electrical loads.
  • Install GFI devices on extension cords to protect against electrical shocks.
  • Uncoil extension cords entirely before use to prevent overheating.
  • If an extension cord is damaged, discard it and do not attempt to repair it.
  • Only use surge-protected power strips and inspect them regularly for damage or signs of overloading.

Temporary Wiring Safety Rules:

  • Using temporary and flexible wiring as a long-term solution for repairing building wiring is not recommended.
  • Use temporary wiring only for necessary maintenance, repair, or demolition tasks, and restrict its use for holiday lighting to a maximum of 90 days.
  • Only temporary wiring and extension cords are approved for outdoor use in outdoor settings.
  • Avoid running temporary wiring around doors, through walls, or across floors.
  • Position temporary wiring at least 7 feet above any surface where people walk or work.
  • Protect temporary wiring from sharp edges, heat, and sunlight to prevent insulation breakdown.

Equipment Power Cords Safety Rules:

  • Check equipment cords for damage before each use.
  • Operate equipment cords with a ground connection unless they are double insulated.
  • Do not splice equipment cords to repair damage or extend the original length.

Routine Inspection and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment:

  • Ensure all electrical equipment or lines are locked out or tagged while serviced, maintained, or adjusted.
  • Check electrical appliances for proper grounding, and immediately replace frayed or damaged cords.
  • When replacing fuses, shut down the primary power source to prevent electrical hazards.
  • Weatherproofing that does not protect against contact injuries.
  • Let kids climb trees or fly kites near power lines.
  • Disguise transformers or meters with paint or bushes, as utility workers may need to work safely around them or find them quickly in an emergency.
  • Hang signs on utility poles using nails, staples, or tacks, as these can pose a danger to workers who must climb the poles.
  • Tamper with an electric meter, as it is dangerous and illegal, and keep it free of ice and snow during the winter.

Safeguards to Install on Electrical Equipment:

  • Clearly label the purpose of each circuit breaker, fuse, or switch on the panel board.
  • Label all disconnecting switches and circuit breakers for easy identification.
  • Consider upgrading outdated circuit breakers to ensure safety and compliance with current standards.
  • Ensure there is adequate access and working space around all electrical equipment to ensure safe operation and maintenance.
  • Cover all unused electrical openings, including conduit knockouts, with electrical enclosures and fittings to prevent accidents.

 

Electrical Safety Do’s and Don’ts Inside Your Home:

DO:

  • Install cover plates on all electrical outlets and wall switches, replacing any that are damaged.
  • Protect small children and pets using plastic safety covers in unused outlets and keeping cords out of reach.
  • Ensure all electrical devices are in good repair to prevent contact with damaged wires.
  • Use extension cords only temporarily.
  • Use a quality surge suppressor with enough sockets for every component.
  • Keep all electrical devices away from water sources.
  • Flag the fuse or breaker switch to prevent accidental contact while working, and turn off the main breaker switch if unsure which circuit you’ll be working on.

DON’T:

  • Avoid pulling electrical cords from the wall, as it can damage both the plug and the outlet.
  • Avoid attaching cords to surfaces with nails or staples, as they can damage the insulation.
  • Do not use damaged or brittle electrical cords, even if bare wires are not visible.
  • Do not attempt to repair an electrical appliance or tool while it is plugged in.
  • Avoid plugging one extension cord into another.