any homeowners seem to relegate the subject of electricity safety in the home to those homeowners who have curious infants and small children who might stick a finger or metal object into an electrical outlet and be electrocuted. However, all homeowners should understand there are many risks involved with electricity in the home, so education at any age can be lifesaving. Electricity is powerful energy, and if it is not safely harnessed it can cause electrical fires and damage to human beings, whether directly or indirectly. Electricity can hurt humans through various means, including shock, burns, neurological damage, psychological damage, and ventricular fibrillation (heart muscle cells are moving independently) of the heart that can lead to swift death. A human being who encounters only 80 milliampere (mA) can have their heart muscle seize up and be electrocuted (death by electrical shock). So one might ask just what a homeowner can do, other than the obvious, to prevent electrical related injuries in the home? For starters, the homeowner can equip electrical outlets with tamper-resistant receptacles (plastic safety plugs) to keep those curious kids from sticking fingers or objects into the outlet. One can also look out for damaged, loose electrical cords and replace them right away, and remember that older homes need electrical inspections to assure things are up to current standards. The homeowner should never put rugs over extension cords or run them across doorways or walkways. Actually it is wise, if possible, to forego the use of extension cords altogether by having a qualified electrician install a sufficient number of accessible electrical outlets. A smart individual does not approach the manufacturer’s product instructions as mere suggestions when plugging new appliances or products into electrical outlets, and also knows not to plug too many devices into one outlet. High-wattage products should, in fact, hog an electrical outlet all to themselves as much as possible. One may want to call a qualified electrician when electrical outlets are warm or are frequently tripping breaker circuits or blowing fuses. One should also pay attention to whether certain product electrical cords become warm when plugged into electrical outlets (think laptop computers, hover boards and other electronics) and refrain from leaving those products plugged in unattended. Household occupants are wise to assure that lamps are sitting on flat surfaces and are not too close to things that light bulbs could burn, such as curtains or other fabrics. A lamp or fixture should never contain a light bulb with wattage higher than called for in the manufacturer’s instructions and warranty to prevent even further hazard with electrical lighting. The homeowner should also check out all ceiling fans to be sure they do not slowly wobble, as this indicates the fan is out of balance and installed on a box not able to support the product. One should also be extremely cautious when using older refrigerators that can have leaks, worn-out insulation in the internal wiring, and/or a defrost circuit, as these old appliances can be dangerous for condensation build-up on the floor and electric shock. In addition to paying attention to the above safety tips, the savvy homeowner should be sure to have a competent electrician install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in kitchens,
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bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and outdoor areas containing electrical outlets. In addition, it is wise to have an electrician install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to protect electrical outlets. In the unwelcome event of an electrical fire in the home, it is absolutely essential that homeowners and occupants understand that water should never be thrown on an electrical fire, and that there is a time to fight an electrical fire with a chemical fire extinguisher and a time to flee (when in doubt, get out!). Once educated on electrical safety tips in the home, it can be the difference between life and death for the newly educated electricity aficionado to educate the rest of the household members old enough to understand basic safety tips. Even children can be taught things like the rule to never have wet hands or a running sink while also touching an electrical switch, outlet or product. The bathroom can be an especially dangerous place for electrocution that comes from a small appliance, such as a hair dryer, falling into a running sink or bathtub. Electricity and water never mix and this is where those ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) discussed above come in handy. Children and other members of the family can also be taught to never stick anything into an electrical outlet that is not meant specifically for plugging in, and/or without adult supervision. It is even wise to educate household members to avoid bathing, showering or talking on landline telephones when there is lightning outdoors. Finally, perhaps the wisest of all advice for all household members regarding electricity danger reduction is to hire an electrician rather than allowing do-it-yourself electricity installations and fixes by novice, unlicensed individuals or the best of intentions can go deadly wrong.
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