Safety in the home

Please be aware that using candles, portable heaters, gas appliances, and gasoline- or diesel-powered generators to light or heat your home might be dangerous. Portable heaters and burning candles that are left unattended, especially around children and pets, can create a fire hazard. In addition, portable heaters and gasoline- or diesel-powered generators can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide and should never be operated inside the home or garage. For more safety information, contact your local fire department.

Accidents can happen to anyone. However, if we know how they are most likely to occur, we can prevent electrical accidents in and around the home. The following tips can help you avoid common electrical problems - and ensure the safety of you and your family.

Circuit breakers/fuses

Circuit breakers and fuses are safety devices. They cut off power to an electrical circuit if it becomes dangerously overloaded or if a short circuit occurs. Your breakers or fuses are located in a service panel in your basement, in your attached garage, or somewhere near your electric meter.

If you lose power to one of your house circuits:

1) Check the equipment on the circuit to determine what caused the interruption, such as:

• A defective lamp or appliance
• An overloaded motor
• A faulty socket or fixture
• A worn-out or frayed appliance cord or extension cord
• Too many appliances or lamps on one outlet

• Single-family homes and apartments should have a service capacity of at least 100 amps, although 150 to 200 amps are better for running appliances at full efficiency. Old two-conductor circuits should be updated with safe, modern three-conductor wiring, too.
• Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers for outdoor circuits and for circuits used indoors around water, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. When the potential for an electrical shock exists, these highly sensitive, fast-acting devices shut off power to prevent injury.
• Make sure your home's wiring complies with the National Electrical Code as well as state and local ordinances. Have electrical updates, additions, or modifications performed and checked by a qualified electrician.

• Protect cords from damage. Do not place a cord where it's likely to be walked on. Avoid twisting, kinking, or crushing the cord.
• Keep cords away from heat or water.
• Never wrap a cord around a metal pipe or appliance.
• Check cords occasionally for signs of wear or damage. Replace damaged cords promptly.
• Avoid using extension cords whenever possible. But if needed, use the right size cord for the job. Do not exceed the cord's recommended rating.
• Do not string a series of extension cords together.
• When using power tools, use a heavy-duty cord. If working outdoors, make sure the cord is weather resistant.
• Never use an extension cord as a permanent substitute for adequate, safe wiring.
• Unplug a cord from a wall outlet when not in use. When unplugging a cord, pull on the plug not the cord.

Appliances

Here is how to operate electrical appliances safely:

• Make sure appliances are approved by Underwriters' Laboratories or another authorized laboratory.
• Never operate an appliance while touching a metal object - especially plumbing - or while standing on a wet surface or while taking a bath or shower. Teach children not to touch appliances with wet hands.
• Always locate appliances away from sinks and tubs in the kitchen or bathroom.
• Never use a metal object such as a fork or knife to dislodge something from an appliance.
• Keep motors clean and free from lint, dust, and dirt. Always unplug appliances before cleaning them.

• Keep these appliances in proper working order and away from high-traffic areas.
• Do not place these appliances near combustibles such as paper, drapes, or furniture.
• Unplug these appliances and store them in a safe place when not in use.
• Make sure heat-producing appliances are cool before putting them away.

Power tools

Here is how to ensure your safety while operating a power tool:

• Read the tool's instructions, especially all safety precautions, before use.
• Plug the cord into a three-hole outlet on a three-conductor circuit. This provides the added safety of the neutral-to-ground connection provided by the third wire.
• Inspect the tool after each use. Keep it in good working order. Replace or repair worn or defective equipment immediately.
• Keep the tool clean and store it in a dry place.
• Never use a power tool around flammable liquids such as gasoline or solvents.
• Keep the work area clean of sawdust, shavings, or anything else that could pose a fire hazard.

Outdoor lighting and yard tools

Here are several safety tips to consider:

• All outdoor outlets, lighting fixtures, and bulbs should be weatherproof and protected by ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers.
• Turn off outdoor circuits before replacing bulbs or adjusting outdoor lighting.
• When using outdoor electrical appliances such as hedge trimmers or edgers, wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes or boots. Never go barefoot.
• Never use electric tools or mowers in wet areas.

Underground wires

If you have underground utility service, make sure you know where electric, telephone, cable TV, water, and sewer lines are located before doing any major digging in your yard. If you do not know where your electric lines run in Ohio, call Ohio Utility Protection Service (OUPS) 48 hours in advance before you dig. In Pennsylvania before digging, call the Pennsylvania One Call (POC) 72 hours in advance. A representative will locate your electric lines for you. This advance notice allows time for the operators to mark their facilities. The phone numbers are listed below for your convenience.

• If you are climbing up to the roof, make sure to keep the ladder away from electric lines.
• Install your television antenna as far from electric lines as possible, preferably at the opposite end of the house.
• Never let children fly kites or motorized airplanes near power lines. While kites almost always use cotton string, wet cotton string can conduct electricity almost as well as metal string. If a kite gets stuck in a tree, check first to make sure no power lines are nearby before retrieving it. If a kite is tangled in our lines, call one of our toll-free customer service numbers.

• Primary electric wires, at the top of the poles, operate at high voltages from 2,400 to 34,500 volts.
• Secondary electric wires for local use operate at lower voltages (less than 600 volts, usually 120/240 volts).
• Fire alarm wires
• Cable TV wires (CATV)
• Telephone lines

• Risers, enclosed in pipes, run up the sides of utility poles. They connect overhead to underground systems.
• Service wires run from a utility pole to a home or other building
• Guy wires support utility poles

• If you want to plant trees near or under power lines, choose varieties that will grow to a height of 30 feet or less.
• If you want to plant trees that will grow to more than 30 feet tall, make sure they are well away from power lines.

For more information on planting and maintaining trees near power lines, see How to Select the Right Tree for the Location.

(05/31/07)

Still need help?
Contact us with your questions.