Electric Safety
Electricity powers many household appliances, and when used properly is perfectly safe. If used improperly it can cause serious injury or even death. Know how to stay safe around electricity.
Stay safe in every room
- Never put anything but an electrical plug into a wall socket.
- Don't overload the socket — one socket, one plug.
- Never pull a plug out by the cord.
- Make sure there are no holes or breaks in extension cords.
- Never put extension cords under carpets or rugs.
- Put plastic covers on unused outlets to protect small children.
- Dry your hands before using any electrical appliance, switch or plug.
Stay safe inside your home
- Keep the area around appliances clean.
- Never use an appliance in the bathtub or shower.
- Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
- Install at least one smoke detector on each floor of your home and in the garage.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
- Follow a space heater's instructions carefully and use only when an adult is home.
- Devise a fire escape plan and make sure everyone in your household knows it.
Stay safe outside your home
- Leave power lines, meters and electrical boxes alone.
- Never climb trees near power lines.
- Never fly kites, toy airplanes or balloons near overhead power lines.
- Never touch overhead power lines with a stick, ladder, antenna or anything else.
- Never approach a downed power line.
Stay safe in your neighborhood
- Stay away from substations and utility poles.
- Never enter a substation — they are fenced in for a reason.
- Never climb utility poles.
Stay safe during a storm
- Get inside during thunderstorms.
- Never stand under a tree during thunderstorms.
- Don't use the phone or take a bath or shower during a thunderstorm.
- Never approach a downed power line.
Stay safe while traveling
- Never touch a downed power line, even if you don't see sparks.
- If you come across a car that's hit a utility pole, stay away; it may have a downed power line on it.
- If you are inside a car that has a downed line on it, call 911 and stay put until help arrives.
- If you have to leave the car, never touch it and the ground at the same time.
- If someone is touching a downed power line, stay away from there.
When calling 911, remember to give your name and address, and speak clearly. Tell the operator what's wrong. Stay on the phone. The operator will tell you what to do.