A shocking subject
Mary White

A couple of weeks ago, a friend called after she noticed that one of the outlets in a house she was considering buying had scorched and melted areas around the plug holes. The house had been used previously for a business and a large drink machine had been plugged into the outlet. Bottom line was that the machine needed more electricity than the outlet could supply and the pull created a hot area and a real fire hazard.

Do you have overloaded outlets in your home? Are there any cords running under rugs? Do you use extension cords on a permanent basis to make appliances reach an outlet? Not Good! Each year, over 400 people die from electrocution. Most of these deaths and injuries could be avoided with an increased awareness of electrical safety.

Electrocutions can have many causes: household products, power tools, wiring hazards, power lines, or accidents while landscaping, gardening, or farming. Another 400 people die in electrical fires each year, and thousands more suffer injuries. As we move into spring, it's a great time (during that spring cleaning we always do…) to take an electrical safety inventory of our homes.

To ensure the electrical safety of your home, have an electrical safety inspection performed by a licensed electrician. Having your home inspected if it is over 40 years old, over 10 years old and has had a major renovation, addition, or a major new appliance installed; or a previously owned home is a life-saving idea!

Use appliances and equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure electrical products you use, including extension cords, are certified by a nationally recognized independent testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories. Replace damaged electrical equipment or have it repaired at an authorized repair center.

Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet. Each outlet has only one to four places to plug in appliances for a good reason.

Make sure power strips, cords and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads for their intended use. Extension cords should only be used where they are designed to be used, inside or out, and on a temporary basis. Do not place power cords and extension cords in high traffic areas or under carpets or furniture

Make sure your home includes ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which can prevent electrocution by shutting off the circuit if they sense a leak of current. These are especially important in areas where water is near electricity to protect against electric shock. Test your GFCIs monthly and after every major electrical storm.

A relatively new product called an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter, or AFCIs, could prevent fires caused by dangerous electrical arcs. Use of new AFCI technology could prevent 50 to 75 percent of these fires, saving hundreds of lives, reducing thousands of injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage annually.

Outside, avoid contact with power lines by being aware of the location of power lines above and below you and keeping a distance of at least 10 feet between you and power lines to avoid arcs.

Avoid downed power line. Electrical dangers are present in the home, outside, and at work. However, consumers can educate themselves in order to take the precautions necessary to avoid most electrical hazards.

For more information about home safety call the Emanuel County Extension office 237-1226.

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