Keep these electrical safety precautions in mind around your home.
Electrical cords
- Ensure extension cords are in good condition—not frayed or cracked—and only use them temporarily.
- Never staple or nail extension cords to the wall or another object. Place them where no one will trip over them.
- Do not put furniture or carpets over extension cords.
- Use cords with safety closures to protect children from shock hazards and mouth-burn injuries.
- Do not use indoor extension cords outdoors.
- Ensure the cord can handle the power demands you are placing on it.
Plugs and outlets
- Replace any missing or broken wall plates.
- Never remove the ground pin (the round third prong) to make a three-prong plug fit a two-conductor outlet.
- Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn't fit.
- Don't overload outlets with too many appliances.
- Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in bathrooms, near kitchen sinks or in areas where water and electricity may come into contact. GFCIs shut off power to prevent injury from electrical shock.
- Install tamper resistant receptacles for outlets that are within reach of children. All new installations are required to be tamper resistant receptacles.
Bulbs and lamps
- Never replace bulbs with a higher-than-recommended wattage. The maximum recommended wattage is usually shown on the base of the light fixture.
- Tighten bulbs securely to avoid overheating.
- Halogen lamps operate at much higher temperatures than standard bulbs and require extra care:
- Place halogen floor lamps at a distance from draperies, clothing or other flammable materials.
- Turn halogen lamps off whenever you leave the room for an extended period of time.
Other home electrical safety tips
- Repair or replace any appliance that blows fuses, trips a circuit breaker or gives you a shock.
- Check electronic equipment and computers for damage to wiring, plugs or connectors. Use a certified surge protector to protect this equipment from damaging voltage surges.
- Never operate a home backup generator without first getting a Saskatchewan licenced electrical contractor to install a transfer switch, which isolates your home wiring from main power lines.
- Replace a fuse with one of the same capacity. If you don't know the circuit's correct capacity, have an electrician find and label it.
