If anyone in your household is using life-sustaining equipment that runs on
electricity, make sure that your utility and energy supplier are aware of it.
They will make you a priority should there ever be an interruption in
service.
Don't ever let anyone who says they work for your utility or energy supplier
enter your house unless they have legitimate photo identification.
Replace outdoor light bulbs as soon as they burn out with bright, energy-
efficient replacement bulbs. A brighter home makes for a safer
environment.
Electrical cords that are frayed, worn, or severed should be replaced, not
repaired. Many a fire has resulted from home electrical repairs.
Don't overload electrical sockets or extension cords -- connecting too
many appliances to one outlet can overheat the wires, also resulting in
fires. In fact, one of every six home fires is started by overheated wires.
Do not use an indoor extension cord outdoors for any reason. It's not
designed to function outdoors and represents a potential hazard.
Be careful not to put flammable materials too close to electric lamps or
heaters.
Keep all electrical appliances away from water in sinks, tubs, or swimming
pools.
Never plug anything into an electrical outlet if your hands are wet.
Do not blow out the pilot light in your oven or range. Gas will continue to
flow and create a dangerous situation that could result in an explosion.
Never use your oven or gas range to heat a room. This increases the risk of
fire and begins to replace the oxygen in the room with lethal carbon
monoxide gas.
If you think you smell gas, call your utility company IMMEDIATELY. Do
not attempt to find or fix the leak yourself.
Always keep an "emergency kit" in case of a power outage. The kit should
include a battery-powered radio, flashlights with supply of extra batteries,
candles, and extra blankets. Make sure everyone in the family
knows where this kit is kept.
If you must ever move a gas stove or dryer for repair or cleaning, be
extremely careful as you could crack or misalign the gas connection.
Keep space heaters in an area where they will not be knocked over and
away from flammable materials like furniture or curtains.
If a wire falls on or comes in contact with a car that you are in, do not get
out or attempt to move it. The rubber tires will provide insulation to protect
you until help arrives.
If electric wires fall to the ground near your home, do not touch or go near
them.
Be extremely careful when using metal ladders. Be sure to position them
so that there's no chance they can fall on or come in contact with
electrical wires.
Contact your local utility company before doing any digging on your
property. There may be dangerous electrical wires or gas lines
underground.
If your basement becomes flooded, stay out of it until you can arrange to
have the power turned off. Water conducts electricity and you could get
electrocuted.
Take great care to follow all manufacturer-recommended precautions when
using a portable gas-powered electricity generator. Do not run such a
generator indoors - the engine burns gas and emits deadly carbon-
monoxide.
Be extremely careful when removing trees and tree limbs on your property.
If power lines are involved, call a professional tree service or your local
utility.
Always shut off the power at the fuse box in your home when making any
electrical repairs.
If you choose to hang holiday lights around your house, be sure not to
overload outlets or extension cords, and only use extension cords made
for outdoor use.
Children are naturally curious, and their explorations can put them in potentially dangerous situations. As conscientious and careful as you may be, there will be times when they may wander from your watchful eye. It is therefore critical to educate them about energy and energy safety. Here are a few tips to help keep them out of harm's way.
Talk to your children about electricity and gas, and let them know that it
can be harmful to them if they are not careful.
Teach them to recognize the smell of natural gas, and to report it to an
adult if they should ever encounter it.
Don't let them play near high voltage towers, wires, or transformers.
Alert them to the potential dangers of climbing trees. There might be a live
power line hidden among the branches.
Teach your kids to stay far away from any downed power lines they may
come across.
Don't let your children fly kites in the vicinity of live power lines. Likewise,
discourage them from throwing any objects such as shoes, toys, or
clothes over power lines.
Show your children what a "Danger: High Voltage" sign looks like, and tell
them what it means. Make sure they understand to steer clear of areas
marked with those warning signs.
Let your children know the importance of keeping all electrical appliances
away from bathtubs, sinks and swimming pools, and don't let them touch
anything electrical with wet hands.
If you have very young children, place plastic outlet covers in all electrical
outlets within their reach.
