At-home electrical safety tips
Use electricity safely at home
Follow our simple electrical safety tips to keep yourself and your family safe at home
Electrical panels, fuses, and outlets
If a fuse blows, turn off all appliances and lights that are on the circuit before changing the fuse.
Use a flashlight. Don’t try to replace a fuse in the dark.
Replace a fuse with another that has an identical rating.
Loose fuses can overheat. If you have plug-type fuses, you should periodically check to make sure they’re snug.
Never replace a fuse with a coin or other metal object.
Use ground fault circuit interrupters on all outlets located outdoors.
Cords, extension cords, and plugs
Pull the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting an electrical device.
Never remove a plug when your hands are wet, or if you’re touching a metal object.
The third prong of a plug exists for safety reasons. Do not break it off or bypass it.
Use only three-pronged extension cords outdoors.
Keep cords away from sources of heat and water.
Cords and plugs that show signs of wear or damage need to be replaced. Stop using them immediately.
Do not place a cord under a carpet, through a doorway, or anywhere that it could be stepped on.
Always use extension cords that are properly rated for the amount of electricity you’ll be using.
Extension cords are intended for temporary use. If you need a permanent solution, call an electrician.
Coil up excess cord length and keep the coil intact with plastic ties or Velcro straps.
Use a certified power bar if you need to plug multiple items into an outlet.
Electrical devices, appliances, and power tools
Unplug the toaster before prying out that stuck toast.
Unplug your electrical gadgets when they’re not in use.
Keep your electrical devices away from sources of water.
If you use an electric lawnmower, only cut the grass when it’s dry and never when it’s raining.
Insist on appliances and tools that have been certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) seal or another accredited Standards Council of Canada association.
Electricity safety near gas supply
Always use qualified electricity and gas contractors to install your services and ask them to ensure the services are installed the right distance apart.
Make sure your services are inspected and maintained regularly. Don’t try any maintenance yourself, always use a qualified contractor.
Electrical Fires
Preventing a Home Electrical Fire
Electrical failure or malfunctions account for almost 34,000 home fires, on average, per year and result in roughly 440 deaths and $1.3 billion in direct property damage according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is a particular threat to homes built before the 1950s when electrical wiring standards were less stringent than today. However, even newer homes are at risk for an electrical fire. While older homes were built to handle 30 amps of power, most newer homes demand 100 to 200 amps. This demand places a significant strain on a home’s wiring and electrical system.
Understanding the common causes, warning signs and appropriate safety measures can help prevent an electrical fire in your home. The most common causes for electrical fires are:
Incorrectly installed wiring
Overloaded circuits and extension cords
Defective or improper plugs, switches and outlets
Misuse and poor maintenance of lighting
Warning Signs of Faulty Wiring or Electrical Systems
To prevent an electrical fire, learn to recognize the warning signs that indicate a possible wiring or electrical problem. Contact a licensed electrician immediately to examine and repair electrical problems if you experience any of the following issues in your home:
Flickering or dimming lights
Switches or outlets that are hot to touch and/or emit an acrid odor
Discolored cords, outlets and switch plates
Repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers
Keep Home Wiring Systems Safe
Every homeowner should be acquainted with at least one licensed electrician who can help keep their home wiring system safe. Licensed electricians can help:
Ensure any electrical modifications meet existing codes
Inspect and repair outlets and switches
Inspect a home and make any necessary repairs before you purchase and move in
Replace outdated or malfunctioning fuses and circuit breakers and instruct you on proper usage.
Wiring Tips
WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT! Here you have completed the wiring of the aircraft’s alternator and battery circuits, installed the main bus and, at this point, have less than a dozen wires coming up to the instrument panel
That wasn’t so complicated, was it? The hardest part was probably getting organized and acquiring the right kind and size wires and the other necessary parts. After all, how many of us would just happen to have a battery, a voltage regulator, an over voltage relay, a split master switch and a couple of solenoids lying around the workshop. Or, for that matter, have the correct gauges of shielded wire and a sufficient quantity of insulated ring terminals?
You might have had a few insulated ring-terminals on hand . . . maybe enough of them to get the job started. But that would have been just about it. More likely, you probably had to order everything else from one of the homebuilt suppliers.
Other than that, you will have to admit that the basic wiring job was quite interesting, and not nearly as time consuming or as difficult as you had anticipated it would be.
QUICK DISCONNECTS . . . WHERE AND WHY
Keep this in mind. You will have to partially disassemble your airplane before you can haul it to the airport. That is, you undoubtedly will have to remove and reinstall the wings and tail surfaces at least one more time
Home electrical safety tips and rules to help prevent fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical cords and temporary wiring account for over 25% of the estimated 81,000 electrical system fires that occur each year. The risk of fires can be reduced by following these essential home electrical safety tips.
Extension cord safety rules
Don’t use extension cords as a substitute for repairing building wiring.
Inspect extension cords for broken connectors, damaged insulation and missing hardware before each use.
Do not run extension cords through walls, over beams, around corners or through doorways.
Only use extension cords approved for the environment and loads expected.
Equip extension cords with ground fault interruption (GFI) devices.
Dont use coiled extension cords.
Discard damaged extension cords; don’t try to repair them.
Use only surge protected power strips. Inspect the power strips regularly for damage or signs of overloading
Temporary wiring safety rules
Don’t substitute temporary and flexible wiring for repairing building wiring.
Use temporary wiring only when needed for maintenance, repair or demolition activities.
Limit temporary wiring for holiday or ornamental lighting to no more than 90 days.
In outdoor settings use only outdoor approved temporary wiring and extension cords.
Don’t route temporary wiring across floors, around doors or through walls.
Locate temporary wiring at least 7 feet above any walking or working surface.
Protect temporary wiring from sharp edges, heat and sunlight to avoid breakdown of the insulation
Equipment power cords safety rules
Inspect equipment cords for damage before each use.
Don’t operate equipment cords without a ground connection unless they are double insulated.
Don’t splice equipment cords to repair damage or to extend the original length.
Routinely inspect and perform maintenance on electrical equipment
Lock out or tag all electrical equipment or lines while they are being serviced, maintained or adjusted.
Inspect all electrical appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, to ensure they’re properly grounded. Cords that are frayed or damaged should be removed and replaced immediately, not spliced or taped. Shut down main power source when replacing fuses.
Electrical Safety Tips at Home
You power your home with energy, but do you know electrical safety? The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 31,000 home electrical fires occur every year, and with over 180 cases involving electrocution or electricity-related incidents that could have been avoided, home electrical safety is too important to ignore. At Constellation, we care about the safety of our customers, and by following these electrical safety tips you can protect your home and your family
What causes electrical fires in homes?
The National Fire Protection Association notes that faulty or damaged wiring and related electrical equipment cause 69 percent of electrical fires, followed by lamps, light fixtures, cords, plugs, transformers and other power supplies. When looking for potential fire hazards in your home, always be sure to consult with a professional.
Check that you’re using the correct wattage in all your fixtures and appliances.
Using the right bulbs can prevent electrical problems, so check all lamps, fixtures and appliances to ensure you’re using the correct wattage. If a light fixture has no wattage listed, use 60-watt bulbs or less. For unmarked ceiling fixtures, choose 25-watt bulbs.
Watch out for overloaded outlets to protect your home.
Overloading an electrical outlet is a common cause of electrical problems. Check all outlets to ensure they are cool to the touch, have protective faceplates and are in proper working order
Replace or repair damaged electrical cords to keep your home safe.
Damaged power cords are a serious residential electrical safety risk, and they are capable of causing both fires and electrocution. All power and extension cords should be checked regularly for signs of fraying and cracking, and they should then be repaired or replaced as needed. Power cords should not be stapled into place or run under rugs and furniture. Cords under rugs pose a tripping hazard and can overheat, while furniture can crush cord insulation and damage wires.