Electrical Safety – encoded contents
Electricity Safety
Be Prepared for a Power Outage
A power outage can strike without warning. Sudden high winds, electrical storms or typhoons may damage power lines and shut down substations. What will you do when the lights go out?
Prevent an inconvenience from becoming a major problem by taking these simple precautions:
a.) Set aside an emergency drawer that is easy to locate in darkness and stock it with a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and supply of fresh batteries for both.
b.) Store a supply of candles, or an oil lamp and oil in a safe and cool place.
c.) Assemble an emergency supply of non-perishable, easily-prepared food such as freeze-dried and canned food, and disposable eating utensils.
d.) Keep on hand a gallon of liquid bleach to sterilize and sanitize food preparation areas, utensils and toilet facilities
e.) Maintain fuel levels in vehicle tanks and natural gas tanks, and stock adequate supplies of wood for wood burning heaters, cookstoves and fireplaces.
Lights Out
You can make many preparations ahead of time to deal with a power outage. What steps can you take to ensure safety once the outage occurs?
a.) Shut off and unplug appliances with electric motors or electric heating elements until after the service is restored. This will prevent voltage surge damage when the electricity comes back.
b.) Keep refrigerators and freezers tightly closed to maintain the refrigerated atmosphere and preserve frozen and fresh food for long periods without power. Opening the doors rapidly will exhaust this atmosphere.
Preventing Electrical Fires At Home
Electricity serves us well. Most often forgotten, we think of electrocution when we consider the dangers of electricity. But another hazard is electrical fires. Recent reports indicate that arcing or overloaded electrical equipment ranks second only to cigarettes as a cause of multiple death fires.
Here’s what you need to know:
a.) Circuit breakers or fuses help protect against overloads and short circuit.If the breaker or fuse blows often or repeatedly, have an electrician check it immediately.
b.) The smell of burning plastic, warm wall receptacles and flickering or dimming lights signal serious wiring problems.
c.) Electrical cords (especially extension cords) can be overloaded or short circuited easily.
d.) If a cord or plug gets warm, its overloaded.
Here’s what you need to do:
a.) Discard damaged extension cords; even slightly damaged ones.
b.) Use only extension cords designed for outdoor use for electrical needs outside.
c.) Don’t overload circuits.
d.) Keep appliances and motors clean and in good working condition.
e.) Don’t leave appliances such as clothes dryers running when you are away from home.
f.) All appliances and extension cord should carry the mark of a recognized testing facility.
