15 Household Safety Tips to Protect Your Family and Home
Electricity is the power source for many of the modern conveniences we enjoy today: the light in our home, the heat from our furnace, and the cooling of air conditioners on a hot summer day. We also use electricity to watch our favorite television program, listen to music, play video games, and for our computers.
While electricity helps to improve our quality of life, it can be harmful if we are not careful. Below are 15 tips to help you keep your family and home safe.
- Do not overload electrical outlets.
- Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)* outlets in the kitchen, bathroom, outdoor receptacles, and other water access areas.
- Do not place electrical appliances near water.
- Place safety covers on all unused wall outlets.
- Use proper wattage when replacing burned-out bulbs for lamps and lighting fixtures to prevent overheating and risk of fire.
- Replace burned-out light bulbs immediately, never leave lamp sockets empty.
- Use an adapter with a ground tab for a three-pronged plug.
- Never attempt to remove the third prong.
- Avoid extension cords as a permanent means for wiring. Extension cords should be used only on a temporary basis.
- Do not connect multiple extension cords.
- Never run extension cords underneath rugs, carpets, or furniture. Walking on cords can lessen the durability of the cord and possibly cause a fire.
- Replace faulty electrical products.
- Never leave small appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, radios and TV's within the reach of small children and pets.
- Never use a fork or knife to remove food objects from a toaster.
- Keep heating pads and electric blankets at relatively low settings to avoid overheating, never "tuck in" the sides or ends of an electric blanket.
More Safety Tips:
Teach your children about electrical safety.
15 tips to help you keep your family and home safe.
Use extreme caution with home electrical work.
How to protect yourself from lightning.