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Your
safety is important to us. Electricity is so commonly used today, many of
us never think about it.
When properly used, electricity is a safe source
of energy. However, if it is not used properly, it can have serious
effects.
Contact with electricity can cause electric shock, burning and in
severe cases, death.
Inside your home | Around and
outside your home | Playing
Safely
| Beware
of short
 Inside
your home |
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Here are a few
points to keep in mind while you are inside your home.
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Never put
your finger or anything other than an electrical plug in an
outlet.
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Have any
loose-fitting plugs fixed by an electrician.
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Don't force
a plug into an outlet if it won't fit.
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Replace
broken plates on outlets and switches so that no wiring is
exposed.
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Use safety
covers on all outlets accessible to children.
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Make sure
the amperage rating for an extension cord is greater than, or
equal to, the tool you will be using.
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Inspect all
cords and wiring on a regular basis for broken or frayed
insulation.
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Immediately
repair or replace unsafe cords.
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Do NOT cut
off ground prongs as this will eliminate the protection grounded
cords provide.
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Only use
extension cords on a temporary basis, not as a substitute for
permanent wiring.
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Limit the
number of appliances plugged into each outlet.
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Do not
place electric cords so they run through doorways, windows, or
under carpets.
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Always
allow the cord to have some slack.
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A cord
pulled too tightly can put tension on plugs and receptacles and
increase the potential for connections to pull loose.
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Pay
attention to avoid any situation which might cut the insulation
on a cord, exposing bare wiring or causing it to overheat.
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Pull by the
plug not the cord when unplugging an appliance. Don't staple or
nail cords or wiring to walls or floors.
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Around
and Outside your Home
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Before
using an extension cord outside or in a wet area, confirm that
the cord is rated for outdoor use and make sure the cord is
grounded.
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Never swing
or climb on the wires that support utility poles. Avoid running
into them with yard equipment or vehicles.
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Never touch
a wire lying on the ground as it is virtually impossible to tell
whether or not it is live, or energized. Report downed wires to
GEBE immediately.
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Do not use
lightweight extension cords, intended for indoor use, outdoors.
Indoor cords are not designed for use in damp areas.
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Take care
not to cut the power cord when working with electrically powered
cutting tools outdoors. These include lawn mowers, hedge
clippers, chain saws and trimmers.
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Avoid damp
or wet areas when using electrical power tools outdoors.
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Exercise
caution when using ladders, painting, pruning or cleaning near a
service drop. (A service drop is where the wiring comes into a
house or building at the meter.) Weatherproofing on the overhead
wiring is not insulation.
This covering can become brittle and
cracked, exposing you to electrical contact.
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Use extreme
caution around swimming pools. Don't use electrical appliances
or route electrical cords near pools
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Do not
climb trees near power lines.
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Fly kites
in an open space, such as a field, a park or the beach.
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Use only
plastic, wood and string (non-conducting materials) to build a
kite. NEVER use wire, metal or foil.
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Do not tug
on a kite string if the kite gets caught in a power line. Call
GEBE.
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Never fly
kites in the rain or during a storm. Wet strings or wires
conduct electricity.
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Keep
balloons away from overhead lines.
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Keep boat
masts away from power lines.
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Beware
of Short Circuits, Sparks or Fire
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Disconnect
immediately if an appliance blows a fuse, trips a breaker or
gives off sparks or sizzling sounds.
Discard the appliance or
have it repaired.
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Never place
appliance cords where they will come into contact with the stove
or other heated surfaces.
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Protect
young children by not allowing appliance cords to hang over
counter tops where they can be accidentally pulled down.
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Unplug all
non-essential electrical appliances when not in use.
Use only
correct-size fuses and breakers for circuits. Size refers to a
circuit's amperage rating.
If you don't know the rating, ask
your electrician to identify and label them.
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