How do you make your house electrically safe? In all rooms, make sure the devices you are using are certified. This web page provides information on securing your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and outdoor area against electrical problems. There are also tips to avoiding problems during a l.
Electrical safety in the home has become a very serious issue amongst homeowners and consumers alike. The best advice that any expert can give a homeowner is to go through their house and look for possible safety hazards.
Michael G. Clendenin is the executive director for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). ESFI is North America's only non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to the promotion of electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. He has created a catalog of electrical safety resources, issuing safety tips through publications, media relations, and their website. He currently acts as the spokesperson for the ESFI and the electrical industry on matters of electrical safety awareness. Clendenin has tips on what to look for in each of the main rooms.
"For the bedroom, ensure that all electrical items are certified by an independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL-SEMKO," he says. "Make sure all power cords are in good condition. Apply GFCI and AFCI technology to bedroom circuits. Check your home's smoke alarm system, and make sure that it is always working.
"In the bathroom, make certain that the circuits have GFCI protection at the outlet or the circuit breaker," Clendenin advises. "Watch out for hazardous electrical items. You should make sure that electrical items such as blow dryers or curling irons don't demand more electrical power than the circuit. Be careful around all water. Don't leave plugged-in appliances where they might fall in contact with water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, NEVER reach in to pull it out,even if it's turned off. First turn off the power source at the panel board and then unplug the appliance. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person. Also, you should ensure all electrical items are certified by an independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL-SEMKO and their power cords are in good condition."
"In the living room, again ensure all electrical items are certified by an independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL-SEMKO," he says. "You should make sure that their power cords are in good condition. Apply GFCI and AFCI technology to living room circuits that do not also serve major household appliances."
"For the kitchen, make certain the circuits (those that do not serve major appliances such as refrigerators or dishwashers) have GFCI protection at the outlet or the circuit breaker," he suggests. "Make sure that electrical items such as microwave ovens or toaster ovens don't demand more electrical power than the circuit, with the demands at other outlets, can handle. Ensure all electrical items are certified by an independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL-SEMKO and their power cords are in good condition."
Another area that consumers usually forget to check when it comes to electrical safety is outside the home. In addition to making sure that all circuits work outside the home, Clendenin suggests that consumers be aware of what to do in lighting storms as well.
"Electric-powered mowers and other electric tools should not be used in the rain, on wet grass, or in wet conditions," he says. "Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers before each use for frayed power cords, broken plugs, and cracked or broken housings. If any part is damaged, stop using it immediately. Repair it or replace it. Always use an extension cord marked for outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your tools. Remember to unplug all portable power tools when not in use. When using ladders, be sure to watch out for overhead wires and power lines."
"During an electrical storm, do not use appliances (i.e., hairdryers, toasters and radios) or telephones (except in an emergency)," Clendenin says. "Do not take a bath or shower. You should keep batteries on hand for flashlights and radios in case of a power outage. Be sure to use surge protectors on electronic devices, appliances, phones, fax machines and modems."
