Electrical Safety Tips For The Winter Season

It is the time of the year that many people feel the crunch of the rising cost of heating oil and electric bills.  Many consumers will try to save money by using portable space heaters and electric blankets.  Read the following tips to be safe this winter.  Call Sylvia Electrical Contracting for GFI outlets, switches, and generators.  We handle installation of smoke alarms.  Call us at 978-535-6661 for a free estimate.

General Safety Tips

1. Try to avoid using candles for lighting during a power outage. Instead use flashlights and other battery-powered lights which are not a potential fire hazard.
2. Make sure you have a good supply of flashlights, batteries, and other such supplies in case of emergency.
3. When the power goes out, turn off any major appliances, leaving only a light or two in the "on" position to act as a signal for when the power returns. Larger appliances left on can cause an over-load.
4. When disconnecting an electrical cord, pull from the plug, not the cord itself.
5. Make sure that your electrical devices are in good working order. Check for worn electric cords and broken switches. Broken or bent parts in a heater can cause fires and electrical shock.
6. Eliminate "octopus" connections. Plugging multiple cords into a single socket can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
7. Remember than no matter how safety conscious you think you are, things can always go wrong. It is a good idea to prepare for the unexpected. A good functioning smoke alarm can dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Make sure that the batteries checked frequently. Also a class C fire extinguisher can save lives and damage.

Safety Tips for Portable Space Heaters

1. Keep drapes, newspapers, clothing and other combustible objects a safe distance away.
2. Plug portable space heaters directly into the outlet. Do not use extension cords or 3-in 1 adapters.
3. Always put heaters in a place where they can't be tipped over easily. It's best to keep them on the floor where they have less of a chance of falling and becoming a potential fire or shock hazard.
4. Do not use heaters in wet or moist areas, such as bathrooms, unless they are specifically built for that purpose. Doing so can not only corrode the heater, but can be a dangerous shock hazard.
5. Make sure that the plug of the heater fits snugly in the outlet. A worn-out outlet can overheat, burning up both the outlet and plug. If left unnoticed, this can start a fire throughout the house.
   Note: The plug of the heater will usually get warm to the touch when the heater is in use. This is OK. Make sure that it doesn't get hot.
6. Do not run cords under rugs or carpets. Doing so can cause the cord to overheat and start a fire.
7. Broken heaters should be checked and repaired only by a qualified appliance service center. Do not attempt to make any repairs to the heater yourself.
8. Don't use space heaters in rooms where children are unsupervised. Children may stick their fingers or other objects through the protective guards, causing burns or shock.
9. Turn off the space heater and unplug it when not in use.

Safety Tips for Electric Blankets and Heating Pads

1. Electric blankets (that one covers with) and electric heating pads (that put directly on the mattress) should not be used interchangeably or at the same time.
2. Before plugging in your electric blanket or pad, check for any damage and inspect for worn cords and other damage.
3. Never get into bed with a heating pad switched on. Unplug it first otherwise it may overheat and catch fire. Likewise, never lie on top of an electric blanket when it's switched on. This could also start a fire.
4. Electric blankets should not be tucked under the mattress and nothing should be placed on top of the blanket while it is in use (including quilts, blankets and other covers).
   Use the ties on the heating pad to secure it to the mattress. This prevents slipping and creasing which could damage the elements.
5. Do not fold the electric blanket while it's being used. This can cause the blanket to overheat and burn out. Make sure the blanket has a mechanism to cut off the power if the blanket overheats
6. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the electric blanket or pad. Most advise against using heating blankets on waterbeds, sofas, bunk beds, or mechanical beds.
7. When washing the blanket, make sure it is completely dry before use. Never dry-clean an electrical blanket because the chemicals can damage the heating insulation and increase the risk of fire.

By: Jonathan Z. Kremer

Daylight Savings Time is here. Change your Clocks and Check your batteries.

Daylight Savings, check smoke detectors

Posted by: Eli George

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - As the end of Daylight Saving Time approaches, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) urges residents to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors throughout their homes, and to test those detectors to make sure that they are functioning properly. Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 A.M. FASNY also recommends that homeowners dust or vacuum their smoke detectors to keep them free of debris, so they can function properly if needed.

According to a recent survey among 1,004 adults commissioned by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and conducted by Harris Interactive by telephone in September 2010, Americans continue to have misunderstandings about smoke alarms, including how many they need in their homes, and how often they should be tested and replaced. The NFPA also states that two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy,” said FASNY President David Jacobowitz. “Daylight Saving Time is the perfect time to replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A task that only takes a minute or two can ultimately save so many lives.”

· NFPA tips for keeping smoke alarms/detectors working properly:

· Test smoke alarms/detectors at least once a month by using the alarms “test button”. Do NOT use an open flame.

· Clean the units by vacuuming or dusting in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

· Install new batteries in all smoke alarms/detectors at least once a year on the day you change your clocks in the fall or when the alarm chirps (warning that the battery is dying). Do NOT disable the “chirping” feature by removing batteries.

· Keep batteries in smoke alarms/detectors; do not borrow them for other purposes. Nuisance activations can be addressed by moving a smoke alarm/detector farther away from kitchen smoke or bathroom steam and by more frequent cleaning. If the problem persists, replace the unit.

· Don’t paint over smoke alarms and detectors.

NFPA tips for installing smoke alarms/detectors:

· While smoke alarms/detectors alert people to fires, families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly.

· Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and in or near each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, NFPA recommends installing smoke alarms/detectors inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms/ detectors are required in all sleeping rooms, per the National Fire Alarm Code.

· Because smoke rises, alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings.

· Wall-mounted alarms should be positioned 4-12 inches from the ceiling.

· Ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 inches away from the nearest wall.

· On vaulted (“cathedral”) ceilings, be sure to mount the alarm at the highest point of the ceiling.

· Smoke alarms/detectors should not be installed near a window, door or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with their operation.

· NFPA recommends that people with hearing impairments install smoke alarms/ detectors with louder alarm signals and/or strobe lights to alert them to a fire. For a list of manufacturers that distribute smoke alarms/detectors for the hearing impaired, please call NFPA´s Center for High-Risk Outreach at 617-984-7826.

· Purchase smoke alarms/detectors with the UL label.

· Smoke alarms/detectors that are hard-wired to the home's electrical system should be installed by a qualified electrician.

For more information on smoke detector safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org .

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