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Electrical Safety Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical cords and temporary wiring account for over 25% of the estimated 81,000 electrical system fires that occur each year. These fires can be prevented by following essential electrical safety tips, like limiting the use of electrical cords and temporary wiring, and by regular inspection and proper maintenance when they are used.

Here are some electrical safety tips to maintain a safe environment and help prevent home fires.

Extension cord safety

• Don’t use extension cords as a substitute for repairing building wiring.
• Inspect extension cords for broken connectors, damaged insulation, and missing hardware before each use.
• Do not run extension cords through walls, over beams, around corners or through doorways.
• Only use extension cords approved for the environment and loads expected.
• Equip extension cords with Ground Fault Interruption (GFI) devices.
• Don’t use coiled extension cords.
• Discard damaged extension cords; don’t try to repair them.
• Use only surge protected power strips. Inspect the power strips regularly for damage or signs of overloading.

Temporary wiring

• Don’t substitute temporary and flexible wiring for repairing building wiring.
• Use temporary wiring only when needed for maintenance, repair or demolition activities.
• Limit temporary wiring for holiday or ornamental lighting to no more than 90 days.
• In outdoor settings use only outdoor approved temporary wiring and extension cords.
• Don’t route temporary wiring across floors, around doors, or through walls.
• Locate temporary wiring at least 7 feet above any walking or working surface.
• Protect temporary wiring from sharp edges, heat, and sunlight to avoid breakdown of the insulation.

Equipment power cords

• Inspect equipment cords for damage before each use.
• Don’t operate equipment cords without a ground connection unless they are double insulated.
• Don’t splice equipment cords to repair damage or to extend the original length.

Maintenance and inspection

• Lock out or tag all electrical equipment or lines while they are being serviced, maintained, or adjusted
• Inspect all electrical appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, to ensure they are properly grounded. Cords that are frayed or damaged should be removed and replaced immediately, not spliced or taped.
• Shut down main power source when replacing fuses.

Safeguards to install

• Write the purpose of each circuit breaker, fuse, or switch on the panel board.
• Label all disconnecting switches and circuit breakers.

Always follow these home electrical safety policies:

• Before digging in your yard, call your power company to have underground equipment marked.
• Only use portable electrical tools that are grounded or double insulated.
• Only use extension cords that have a grounding conductor.
• Do not use multiple plug adaptors.
• Keep electrical equipment from getting wet unless it is designed specifically for a wet environment.
• Do not allow metal ladders or measuring tapes, ropes, or items with metallic thread woven into the fabric to come in contact with energized parts of equipment or circuit conductors.