Electrical safety checks- Bizpals be safe people

Electrical Safety Checks: Shockingly Simple To Do

The New Year is an excellent time for making resolutions that benefit your home, so you should think about adding an electrical safety check to your to-do list. We take electricity for granted and sometimes we don't fully appreciate its power and the potential hazards it can pose. So take some time to walk around your house to make sure that your electrical setup is safe. Look for potential problems that may need to be inspected by an electrical contractor and get them fixed before they become a danger to your home and family.

Wall Switches and Outlets

Checking wall switches and outlets is a good place to begin your audit. Are there any outlets that are not currently in use? Children may be at risk of shock if they insert objects into outlets, so put safety covers on any unused outlets. Do all your outlets have faceplates so that no wiring is exposed? To prevent shock or fire from exposed wiring, install faceplates on any outlets that are missing them. Touch the face of all your wall outlets and switches – do they feel cool when you touch them? Warm outlets or switches may be a sign of an unsafe wiring condition, and you should stop using them until they can be checked by an electrician.

Cords

We have a lot of appliances in our homes, and most of them have electrical cords. As you go around the house, check that all cords, including lamp cords, have been placed out of high traffic areas where they could be trip hazards, and make sure that there isn't any furniture resting on cords. Check that all cords are in good condition and replace any that are frayed or cracked. Cords should never be tightly wrapped around anything, as this can cause overheating, and should never be nailed or stapled to a wall, since this can damage the cord. If you use extension cords anywhere in the house, make sure that you have safety covers on any unused receptacles. Sometimes extension cords can be overloaded and that can present a fire hazard. It's important to check the electrical rating on both the extension cord and the appliances, and replace the extension cord with a heavier-duty model if needed. It's not recommended that you use extension cords on a permanent basis, so think about having more receptacles installed if you never seem to have enough outlets for your household needs.

Kitchen and Bathroom

In the kitchen, make sure all appliances are set up well away from the sink, since any electrical appliance is a potential hazard if it comes in contact with water. And check around the stove top or cooking range to be sure that there are no flammable or combustible objects nearby where they could fall on the stove and cause a fire. Appliance cords should be placed so that they don't come into contact with any hot surface like a stove top. Counter-top appliances such as toasters should be unplugged when not in use.
Are the circuits that provide power to your countertop outlets equipped with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)? GFCI outlets are designed to protect people from electrical shock as well as reduce risk of house fires caused by electrical problems. Most current building codes require GCFIs in areas where moisture may occur such as kitchens and bathrooms but many older homes may not have them. If you don't have GCFIs, consider installing them. In your bathroom, it's especially important to make sure that appliances are kept away from any potential contact with water. Plugged-in appliances such as hair dryers can cause electrocution if they fall into water, even when switched off: always un-plug all appliances when not in use and if possible store them away. Portable heaters in bathrooms are particularly hazardous and should be used with extreme caution, if at all.

Living Room and Bedroom

In the living room and bedroom, make sure that TVs are placed where the air can circulate around them to prevent overheating. If you use portable heaters, make sure that they are placed away from walls and drapes and be sure they are set on a flat surface so they don't fall over. If you use electric blankets, check for signs of wear on the blanket surface, cord, plug and connector, and replace blankets that show signs of wear. Don't fold the blanket back when in use or cover with other blankets or comforters, as this may lead to overheating and be a fire hazard.

Circuit Breaker or Fuse Box

If you have circuit breakers, turn each breaker off and then on again a few times to exercise their mechanism. If you have GFCIs installed, test them according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you have fuses, check that they are the correct size for the circuits, as the wrong size of fuse can be a fire hazard.
You can find more information on performing an electrical safety audit for your home on the website of the National Center for Healthy Housing, at http://www.nchh.org/Portals/0/Contents/CPSC_Electrical_Safety_Checklist.pdf