4. Keep your used and unused cords tidy and secure to prevent damage. – Electrical safety tips don’t just apply to power cords when they’re in use—cords also need to be stored safely to prevent damage. Keep stored cords away from children and pets (who may chew on or play with the cords).

What is home electrical safety?

1. Repair or Replace Damaged, Cracked, Loose, Faulty Power Cords – The electrical safety precautions at home are those things that you do to prevent injury from an electric shock. This includes all the different items in your house, such as light fixtures and extension cords.

• It also covers appliances like clothes dryers, dishwashers, ovens/stoves, and refrigerators.
• One of the most common electrical hazards in homes is damaged power cords.
• Particular caution should be taken with extension cords because they can easily get caught on furniture or walked over, which can lead to a short-circuit and electrical shock.

If you come across a worn-out cord that could pose an electric hazard, replace it immediately!

What is an electrical hazard to avoid?

Stay safe after a hurricane, flood or other natural disaster –

• NEVER touch a fallen power line.
• Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water.
• If you believe someone has had electric shock, call or have someone else call 911 or emergency medical help.

Avoid electrical hazards both in your home and elsewhere:

• Never touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines.
• Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities.
• Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water.
• If a power line falls across your car while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone to call the local utility company and emergency services. Do not allow anyone other than emergency personnel to approach your vehicle.
• If electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not enter standing water to access the main power switch. Call an electrician to turn it off.
• Never turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician. All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service. Have a certified electrician check these items if there is any question.
• If you see frayed wiring or sparks when you restore power, or if there is an odor of something burning but no visible fire, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker.
• Consult your utility company about using electrical equipment, including power generators. Do not connect generators to your home’s electrical circuits without the approved, automatic-interrupt devices. If a generator is on line when electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard and it may endanger line workers helping to restore power in your area.

If you believe someone has had electric shock take the following steps:

1. Look first. Don’t touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
2. Call or have someone else call 911 or emergency medical help,
3. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person using a non-conducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
4. Once the person is free of the source of electricity, check the person’s breathing and pulse. If either has stopped or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
5. If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs of shock, lay him or her down with the head slightly lower than the trunk of the body and the legs elevated.
6. Don’t touch burns, break blisters, or remove burned clothing. Electrical shock may cause burns inside the body, so be sure the person is taken to a doctor.

What is an example of an electrical hazard in a home?

Dangers of electricity – Regulation 2 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 refers to the dangers associated with electricity as being ‘the risk of injury’. Electrical hazards may cause death or personal injury from:

electric shock electric burn electrical explosion or arcing, fire or explosion initiated by electrical energy (where any such death or injury is associated with the generation, provision, transmission, transformation, rectification, conversion, conduction, distribution, control, storage, measurement or use of electrical energy’).

Incidents do happen and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 applies to all work activity in such proximity to electrical systems where danger might be present. Therefore, the extent of the law is not restricted to electricians and electrical engineers, but applies equally to mechanical engineers, construction workers, production staff and office employees alike, where their work activity might expose them to the dangers of electricity.

Electric shock and burns from live wire contact Fires from faulty wiring Overloading circuits Leaving electrical parts exposed Electrocution or burns from lack of PPE Explosions and fires from explosive and flammable substances. Contact with overhead power lines Electrical exposure to water

Why do we need electrical safety?

Why Electrical Safety Is Important – Electrical safety matters because electricity is powerful and potentially harmful. Mishandled electricity can cause serious injury or death, so keeping electricians safe at work requires use of the proper techniques.

Exercise caution: Always use caution when working with electrical gear. Assume that you’re working with live, energized wires and act accordingly. Check for electrical current: Before touching a wire or metal surface, use a multimeter to see if it has an electrical current. Secure electrical cords: Tape extension cords around the work site to the floor or wall — hanging cords can fall and hurt someone, and laying them loosely can be a tripping hazard. Be mindful of conductive materials: Know which materials are conductive and don’t use them around high-voltage equipment. Inspect cords and electrical connections: Regularly examine cords and connections like outlets and plugs for signs of wear and damage. If you find issues, replace the component immediately. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE): Wear PPE like safety glasses, insulated gloves and a hard hat when using electrical items.

What are the two major hazards of electricity?

Learning Objectives – By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Define thermal hazard, shock hazard, and short circuit.
• Explain what effects various levels of current have on the human body.

There are two known hazards of electricity—thermal and shock. A thermal hazard is one where excessive electric power causes undesired thermal effects, such as starting a fire in the wall of a house. A shock hazard occurs when electric current passes through a person.

Jack Gloop