Electrical Safety Basics

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Electricity

Electrical distribution equipment poses serious fire safety threats that can even be fatal, especially when equipment is used incorrectly.

Electrical Safety Basics

• Protect electrical outlets with plastic safety covers if small children are present in your home
• Never operate electrical appliances around bathtubs, showers, or puddles of standing water
• Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity, to protect against electric shock … This means you should use GFCIs in your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and outdoor locations
• Replace or repair frayed, loose, or otherwise damaged cords on all electronics
• Shut off the circuit and have it checked by an electrician if any switches feel warm
• Take note of any discolored switch plates, because discoloration could indicate that the electrical wiring behind the switch plate is overheating
• Remember: symptoms of potential wiring problems include household lights that dim or flicker, a TV picture that shrinks in size, frequent blown fuses, or circuit breakers that trip frequently
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from flammable items, and use light bulbs that match the lamps’ recommended wattages
• Multi USB charger are not allowed on campus and should generally be avoided. They are prone to overheating and a multitide of these devices have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission over safety concerns.  

Extension Cords and Surge Suppressers

• Never use an extension cord as a replacement for permanent wiring
• Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets
• Make sure power strips and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads you will be using them for
• Connect power strips and surge protectors directly into a wall outlet. Do not connect multiple power strips or surge protectors together
• Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet
• Avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle, and try to only plug one high-wattage item into each outlet

Halogen Lighting

• Avoid using halogen lamps whenever possible since they operate at much higher temperatures than normal light bulbs
• If you use halogen lamps, make sure the lamp is placed in a location where it cannot come into contact with drapes, clothing, or other combustible materials
• Keep halogen lamps and cords away from high-traffic areas and turn lamps off when leaving the room for an extended period of time