Top Ten Tips - Being Electricity Smart
By Tip Diva | Mar 27, 2008
Categories: Animals, Appliances, Cheap, Computer, Difficulty, Electricity, Electronics, Home, Household, Safety, Technology, Tips, Websites
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, home electrical fires claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. It says, “Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.” Don’t become another statistic - here are some safety tips on dealing with cords, outlets and more:
- Always Check Cords Before Plugging In - If you buy a new appliance or gadget, check the cord before plugging it in. Even if something’s new, there could be a chance the cord is frayed or broken - and you can ruin the appliance or gadget, cause a an electrical short or even worse, a fire.
- Use Surge Suppressors - Surge suppressors protect electronic equipment, as well as appliances, from electric surges, when voltage goes higher than normal. Many times, the appliance just shuts down, but more sensitive equipment, like computers, will just fry. You can buy one at your local hardware or electronics store.
- Do Not Overload Outlets Or Surge Suppressors - Many times, outlets are connected to one single circuit, and overloading an outlet or even a surge suppressor can can cause a circuit break, ruin your appliances or gadgets or even cause a fire. Lifehacker gives some tips on how many amps you should use per circuit.
- Keep Watch For Frayed Cords - Aging, misuse and general wear-and-tear can cause frayed cords, so keep a watch out for any wires poking through. If you’re handy with electronics, cords can be simple to replace, but you may just want to take a quick trip to an appliance repair shop to get the cord replaced professionally.
- Keep Cords Away From Animals - Pets, especially rodents, will chew on electrical cords. If you let your pets roam around, unplug everything within their reach. If you have a mouse or rat infestation, check electrical cords constantly until the problem is eradicated.
- Make Sure Your Appliances Are UL Certified - Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a certification that your appliance has met safety standards. For more on UL, go to its website.
- Do Not Buy Cords From Dollar Or Discount Stores - Electrical cords and power strips are products you should be paying a decent price for. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that many of these substandard cords have undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components or improper grounding. Even though the press release is from 1999, the warnings are still true today, and provides additional tips on electrical cord safety.
- Watch For Overheating And Shocks - Some cords or AC adapters may get warm to the touch when used, but you want to watch out if they are hot. Stop using them and throw them away, if so. Same if you get a mild shock while touching the cord.
- Keep Cords Away From Water - You know the warning from your hair dryer, but it is true for all electrical cords. Fallen cords can discharge electricity through water, and then through you.
- Make Sure Outlets And Wiring Are Safe - Make sure all of your outlets and wiring are up to the latest safety standards, or you’re more at risk for fire or outlets and circuits not working. An electrician can detect and repair any faulty outlets or wiring.
Other Tips To Check Out:
I am glad I have always trusted my instinct when it came to those dollar store cords and instead bought the more expensive ones.
i always careful when dealing wit electricity … lol.. hehe ;)
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Monique - I made that mistake once, and let me tell you, it was quite “shocking.” I purchased a discount AC adapter, and went to plug it in. Just as I plugged it in, it fell apart in my hand and gave me a nice little burn.