What You Need to Know About Electrical Safety and First Aid at Home

We rely on electricity each day for a multitude of things. Just about every system and appliance in our homes and offices use electricity in some capacity. This becomes very apparent in a blackout, when many families sit in the dark totally clueless as to what to do next. It’s become such a huge part of our lives we sometimes forget how dangerous it can really be.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA – a division of FEMA) the highest percentage of fires in the U.S. occur in single-family homes and duplexes. Though electric fires are not the largest cause of fires (cooking ranks number one), the USFA Website says, “During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses.”

Those are some scary statistics, but a little prevention will go a long way.

Think about your home. Did you buy it from someone else or did you have it built? If you were not around when the home was built, you should have an electrician come and look over your electric system. Homeowners who built their own homes will benefit from a periodic inspection as well.

An electrician inspecting your home should look for a few specific things. The first should be that your electrical needs are being met. Trying to draw too much power from an inadequate system is asking for trouble. They should also look for any frayed wiring and wires that may have been fixed by the homeowner. These may not have been fixed correctly and can be a huge fire hazard.

The electrician should make sure your circuit breaker is properly wired and labeled, and that all outlets are safe. You should have newer outlets installed in your home if you don’t already have them. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) outlets will automatically turn themselves off in the case of overload or moisture.

Tips:

– Never do electrical work on your home unless you are a licensed electrician.
– Never overload a single outlet with too many plugs
– Do not use an extension cord if it is frayed. The same goes for any cord used to plug in a lamp, appliance, etc.
– Keep safety caps on all unused outlets if you have small children.
– Keep lamps away from curtains and other flammable material. Certain bulbs generate enough heat to spark a fire.
– Always match bulb wattage to what is recommended for each lamp or overhead light.
– Keep Christmas tree lights off when you are away from home or in bed for the night. The same goes for any holiday lights you may have strung inside or outside your home.
– Keep appliances not made for water far away from any source of moisture.
– Don’t leave hairdryers or curling irons plugged in near a sink or tub. You, or a child, could knock it in when walking by.
– Don’t try to shove a three-pronged plug into a two-prong outlet.
– If someone is being electrocuted, call 911 immediately. If they are still holding the source of the electricity, hit it away with a wooden object, or use that object to try to pry the person away. Do not grab the object or the person with your hand or you will be hurt as well.

Not only is electricity an essential part of our daily lives, it can also be dangerous. It is always best to be mindful of its power and to err on the side of caution when dealing with it when you wish to keep your home and your family safe.