IMPORTANT!

Safety tips for you and your home

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U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 52,500 reported U.S. home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction in 2006. These fires resulted in 340 civilian deaths, 1,400 civilian injuries and $1,447 million in direct property damage
Information provided by the NFPA

Important Home Safety Tips:

APPLIANCES

• Check smoke alarm batteries.
• Tangled/twisted blow-dryer & curling iron cords short easily.
• Unplug unused appliances and stow cords safely out of reach of pets, young children or hazardous situations.
• Appliances that generate heat, such as 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 amateur repairs or upgrades.
• 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 at least three feet away from radiators, space heaters, heating vents and other heat sources.
• Check your electric blankets for wire cracks/shorts.

CORDS

• Use 3-prong appliance rated UL listed extension cords when necessary, and BE SURE none are stuck under
furniture legs.
• Check cords regularly for frays, cracks or kinks, including power tool cords, holiday lights and extension cords.
• Cords are not be jump ropes, clothes lines or leashes, and should never be used for anything other than their intended purpose.
• Cords should be firmly plugged into 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.
• Cords should not be placed beneath rugs where they can become a trip hazard or where frays will not be noticeable. Furthermore, covering a cord will prevent it from keeping as cool as possible.
• 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 cord at the outlet rather than tug on the cord itself.

OUTLETS

• New outlets are the safest, but if not available,
use surge protector bars on electronics.
• Block unused outlets by changing to a solid cover plate or using childproof caps.
• Do not overload outlets with multiple adaptors or power strips; relocate cords instead.
• Never put any object other than the appropriate size plug into an outlet.
• Install ground fault circuit interrupter outlets in potentially hazardous areas such as near pools, crawlspaces, kitchens, bathrooms and unfinished basements.
• Keep all outlets properly covered with secure plates that cover all wiring.

LIGHT BULBS

• Use bulbs that have the correct wattage requirements for each fixture -- using a higher wattage bulb can cause the fixture to overheat.
• Consider switching to more efficient compact fluorescent 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.

OUTDOORS

• Keep trees pruned and away from power lines overhead as well as where the power lines approach the house.
• Do not fly kites, model aircraft or balloons near power lines.
• When using a ladder, carefully inspect the surrounding area to be sure it is free from power lines.
• Do not swim or play in water during an electrical storm, even if it is not raining.
• Do not approach a downed power line to see if it is live – it may give no signs that can be easily observed, but it is just as deadly.
• Contact the authorities immediately about downed lines.

ELECTRICAL FIRE SAFETY TIPS

• Call 911 or other appropriate emergency services immediately in case of electrical injury or fire.
• Never touch anyone who is being shocked; the shock can spread through body contact.
• 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.

 

When it comes to the safety of you and your family,
ALWAYS use a licensed contractor.
Check the California State License Board web site.
It's easy, anonymous and free.
www.cslb.ca.gov/ (under "consumers")
or call 1-800-321-CSLB (2752)