SAFETY

Why is it important to know about electrical safety?

Because using electricity properly can help us avoid:

Injury

Shock

Fire

How Shock Happens

Electricity always seeks the easiest path to the ground. It tries to find a conductor, such as metal, wet wood, water – or your body! Your body is 70% water. So if you touch an energized bare wire or faulty appliance while you are grounded, electricity will instantly pass through you to the ground, causing a harmful – or – fatal shock.

Electricity is so easy to use that you probably take it for granted. But you might be surprised to learn that each year, electricity-related incidents in the home cause approximately:

300 electrocutions
12,000 shock and burn injuries
150,000 fires

Your attention to safety is the key to preventing such accidents.

Inspect Your Home for electric-safety hazards.
Know What to do in case of an emergency.
Learn All You Can about using electricity safely at home.

Check Your Home’s Wiring

Signs of inadequate wiring:

lights dim or flicker
motors change speed when an appliance goes on
circuit breakers trip or fuses blow frequently
heat-producing appliances are slow to warm
picture on TV screen “shrinks”
you don’t have enough outlets.

Safety Tips:

Install GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS (GFCIs)
Use and maintain cords properly.
Never operate an electrical appliance near water.
When working outside always be aware – look up.
Always assume a downed wire is energized.

Take Time to Teach Electric Safety Rules to Your Children

Review them with your children from time to time.

For more information contact us and we will send safety material to you. Intercounty Electric regularly gives safety demonstrations to groups of all ages. If you have a group or club and would like for us to give you a safety demonstration (free of charge) please call to schedule.

Another source for electrical safety is the National Electrical Safety Foundation.