| Kids Energy Education Corner
Check-up
On Electric Safety
In Your Home
Wiring
- Is wiring proper? Has wiring been properly installed
by a qualified electrician?
- Does your home have at least a 100-amp service?
- If your home is heated electrically, does it have
at least a 200-amp service?
- Does every family member know the location of the
main fuse or circuit breaker and understand how to
operate it?
- When a fuse "blows" do you always replace
it with one of the proper size?
- Are all convenience outlets grounded?
- Breaker or fuse boxes control electric circuits
in your home. They are protective devices. If a circuit
"trips," and the reason is not apparent,
have an electrician find out what is going on. Never
try to "cheat" a fuse box with a penny -
you are only inviting the possibility of a fire.
- Do you have a GFCI in the bathroom and where water
can come in contact with electricity?
Cords
- Do all appliances and electrical cords carry approval of the Underwriters'
Laboratory (UL) or other authorized laboratory?
- Keep cords away from heat or water.
- Never use an extension cord as a permanent substitute.
- Are all plugs on electrical applicance cords the three-prong type
and grounded?
- Check cords for wear, especially at plug and connections.
- Do you have any cords wrapped around any metal device or pipe?
- Are there any cords in the way where people could trip over them?
- Do you ever disconnect an applicance by pulling on the cord? Always
pull the plug.
- Cut, punctured or scuffed up electric cords are dangerous! Replace
them immediately. Never run a cord under a rug or through a wet area.
Three-pronged plugs are essential. The third prong is there to ground
and prevent shocks.
- Never overload a circuit. "Octopus" plugs invite overloading
and the possibility of fire.
Appliances
- If an appliance sputters, sparks, or buzzes, turn it off and get it
repaired. Make sure all electric appliances you purchase have the Underwriters
Laboratory tag or label (UL Approved).
- Does every major electrical appliance have its own circuit?
- If you have a portable electric space heater, make sure it comes with
a protective shut-off if tipped. Also, never use space heaters near
curtains or flammable material.
- Never stick forks in toasters to retrieve a stuck piece of bread while
the toaster is working. Always unplug or tun off any appliance before
doing repairs.
- Do you ever handle or use appliances if you are wet or are standing
on a wet surface, like in the bathroom or kitchen? Water and electricity
don't mix. Never permit a radio, hair dryer or any other electric device
to be used around water, especially in the bath or kitchen areas.
Outdoors
Power Lines
- Touching a live power line can cause serious injury or death. You
can't tell by looking whether a line is "hot" or not. Even
if a downed line isn't actively sparking, always assume it is caring
electricity.
- If you come upon a downed power line, don't go near the wire or anything
it is touching. Warn others to stay away. Call Cornhusker Power immediately.
- If you're in an auto accident and power lines fall
on your car, try to drive away from the lines. If
your car is stuck, stay in the vehicle and warn others
to stay away. Touching the ground and your vehicle
at the same time could cause a severe, possibly fatal
shock.
- Teach your children not to touch electrical wires that have fallen?
Look Up For Power Lines
- Have you installed metal objects, such as television
antennas closer than twice their height to the nearest
electric power line?
- Do you always look up for power lines when moving
irrigation pipes, augers, well digging equipment,
metal ladders and other tall equipment?
More Outdoor Tips
- Teach your children to never go inside the fence around a power substation?
- Don't shoot at or otherwise damage insulators on
utility poles.
- Only use weatherproof electrical outlets for outdoor use.
- Make sure you are using moisture-resistant applicance cords outdoors.
- Power tools should have heavy-duty, grounded cords.
- Never use electrical tools or appliances outdoors in the rain.
- All antennas should be grounded.
- Teach your children not to fly kites near power lines?
- Standby Generators: Warning! If you use a standby
generator during power outages, remember that improper
generator hookup can create serious problems in safety
and service. It is very important that your generator
have a double-throw stitch. This switching device
is used to transfer the electric service from the
power line to the generator. If it is not used, feedback
from the generator voltage on power lines could endanger
the lives of the line crews working to restore your
power.
-- Top --
|
