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Safty Tips
Keep Your Home Safe
Ground Rules
- Have a qualified electrical contractor inspect your home to be sure it is properly grounded.
- Large appliances should have their own circuit and be grounded with a three-pronged plug.
Water & Electricity
- Never stand in water or on a damp floor when using electrical appliances - and don't put any electrical parts in water.
- Don't touch or lean on plumbing pipes and touch an appliance at the same time.
- Don't locate your swimming pool under power lines.
Appliances
- Keep appliances in good condition.
- Always unplug them - by pulling the plug, not the cord - when not in use.
- Replace the appliance when a cord is worn or frayed. Remember, extension cords should be used temporarily.
- Don't do amateur repairs on your appliances. Call a qualified technician.
- Never insert metal objects, like knives or forks, into your toaster.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
- If power shuts off in your home, try to find the cause. It may be that you have a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
- When resetting circuit breakers, don't stand on a damp floor.
- Never replace fuses with a copper penny or wrap one in aluminum foil.
- Call a qualified electrician for inspection if power does not resume.
Portable Heaters
- Be sure to keep space heaters clear of anything flammable, such as curtains or be linens.
- Purchase heaters that have automatic shut-off devices when knocked over.
- Always unplug them when not in use.
Power Tools
- Be sure your equipment is adequate for the job - there must be enough circuits of the correct size and all must be well grounded.
- Use the safety release to prevent accidental starting.
- Keep tools clean, and use and store them in a dry place. Dampness increases shock hazard.
- Protect cord from heat, chemicals, gases or oil, and coil them loosely when finished.
Child Safety
- Cover seldom-used outlets with well-fitting plastic safety plugs.
- For outlets used frequently, get safety covers that let appliance cords pass in and out.
- Never leave light bulb sockets empty. Replace burned out lights immediately.
- Keep floors clear of small metal objects children may use to poke in outlets.
- Put fans and portable heaters out of children's reach.
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