Safety

Safety Tips

Do it Yourself
Safe Electricity.org urges all do-it-yourselfers to take precautions, especially when working around electrical equipment and overhead power lines.

Safety tips to keep in mind include:

  • Look up and around you. Always be aware of the location of power lines, particularly when using long metal tools like ladders, pool skimmers and pruning poles, or when installing rooftop antennas and satellite dishes or doing roof repair work. Be sure to lower long equipment when you are moving it. Carry ladders and other long items horizontally whenever possible
  • Be especially careful when working near power lines attached to your house. Keep equipment and yourself at least 10 feet from lines
  • Never trim trees near power lines - leave that to the professionals. Never use water or blower extensions to clean gutters near electric lines. Contact a professional maintenance contractor
  • Make sure you have the right tools and equipment for the job. Use only extension cords that are rated for outdoor use when working outside
  • Use heavy-duty, three-prong extension cords for tools with three-prong plugs. Never remove or bend back the third prong on extension cords. It is a safety feature designed to reduce the risk of electrocution or shock
  • If your projects include digging, like building a deck or planting a tree, call 811 - a new number designed to make it easier for you to get through to Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE) to have underground services marked
  • Electricity + water = danger. Never use electrical appliances or yard tools if it's raining or the ground is wet, or touch circuit breakers or fuses when you're wet or standing in water. Keep electric equipment at least 10 feet from wet areas

Consumers should check for problems in their home electrical systems.

  • Check outlets and extension cords to make sure they aren't overloaded
  • Examine electrical cords to make sure they aren't frayed, damaged or placed under rugs or carpets
  • Make sure that the proper wattage light bulbs are being used in light fixtures and lamps
  • Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
  • Test smoke detectors and replace smoke detector batteries annually
  • Follow appropriate safety precautions and manufacturer's instructions
  • Courtesy of the Electrical Safety Foundation International - http://www.esfi.org