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

5 Dangerous Electrical Situations (And How to Deal With Them)

The stance most of us take with our electrical system is "out of sight, out of mind', but sometimes it can act in ways we don't expect. Read up on these 5 scenarios so you aren't left in the dark (or worse)!

What To Do If... a GFCI Trips the Circuit.
If your GFCI has cut off power to whatever appliance you are using, it is because the current began leaking instead of all being directed back to the source. One of the most common causes is that the appliance has come into contact with moisture. If your GFCI trips:

• Turn off and unplug the appliance. (It's easy to forget to actually turn it off since the power has already been cut off, but if you don't then you're in for a surprise when you plug it back in!)
• Check it for moisture. If you find any, dry it off thoroughly.
• Make sure your hands are dry.
• Plug the appliance back in.
• Press the "reset" button on the GFCI.
• Turn the appliance back on.

If the outlet still does not work or continues to trip frequently, call an electrician as there may be a greater problem than moisture.

What To Do If... Your Electricity Goes Out.
You're sitting there minding your own business and the next thing you know, it's pitch black and your music has stopped, the microwave doesn't show the time, and the sorrowful howl of a wolf echoes on the wind as scraggly branches scrape your window like long fingers. Maybe.
First things first- assess your situation. Did ALL of your power go out, or just a portion of the house? What is the weather like? Have you got practically-apocalyptic thunderstorms, or is it bright and sunny?
Next, get thee to the electrical panel. Check all of the breakers including the main breaker: are any of them tripped? If so, switch them back to "on" and see if that solves your problem. If not....
Check to see if anyone else in your area has experienced a power outage, and call your electricity provider's emergency number.
In a situation like this you will discover very quickly whether you are prepared. Have you got emergency candles, matches, blankets, and a battery-powered radio in an easy-to-reach place?

What To Do If... Someone Experiences an Electrical Shock.
As you may know, electrical shocks can occur with different levels of severity. Some do little more than raise the hair on your arms and make a loud "POP". Others leave a nasty burn. Others still leave no evidence at all, but that doesn't mean they are not dangerous.
The first thing to do is to make sure that the individual is no longer in contact with the source of the shock. Whether it was an outlet, an appliance, or a conductor, make sure that the victim is no longer touching it. In the event of a severe burn during which the muscles seize and the victim can't let go, the first thing you should do is try and turn the power off at the breaker.

• DO NOT touch the source of the shock, even if that's where the power switch is.
• Turn off the main breaker if you have to. If this is not possible, use something dry and non-conductive (like a dry wooden broomstick) to push the person away from the source.
• Call 911.

After a less-severe shock (that the victim was able to let go of by his/herself), have the victim sit down and assess the damage:

• Are there any burns or marks at the shock location?
• Does the victim feel lightheaded, dizzy, or have vague pain anywhere in his/her body? It is possible for internal organs to be damaged from a shock even if you can't see any outward signs.
• If anything seems "off", such as tingling, numbness, paralysis, vision/speech/hearing problems, or any period of unconsciousness, seek medical attention regardless of how the person says he/she feels.

What to Do If... An Electrical Fire Breaks Out
Electrical fires are special. Contrary to everything we learned in school about fire, you can't fight an electrical fire with water. Water plus electricity equals more danger. If you accidentally get wet near volatile electrical wiring or equipment, or even touch anything wet near the electrical source you are putting yourself in serious danger.
If a fire breaks out and you know that it has an electrical source (such as at an outlet, at your electrical panel, or an appliance that is plugged in), use a chemical fire extinguisher to put out the flame. Baking soda is also a good choice, if you can get to it safely and quickly. Never try to put it out with water. If you don't have access to a chemical extinguisher, unplug the equipment if it is safe to do so, turn off the power at the electrical panel if you can, and exit the area.
Call 911 and tell them it is an electrical fire so they can combat it properly and safely.

What to Do If...You Discover Damaged Wires/Wiring
Say you're doing a little TLC around the house, maybe working on a honey-do list, and you discover some wires that are cracked, frayed, or otherwise damaged. Regardless of whether they are still functioning, it is important to immediately call a licensed electrician to have them inspect it and replace the wiring if necessary.
If you are concerned that the wiring may cause an immediate hazard (the outlet/switch/area is hot to the touch, buzzing, or emitting smoke or sparks), turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Do not use electricity in that area until the problem has been resolved.

Call 877-535-6661 and talk to the qualified, licensed electricians at Sylvia Electrical for a free estimate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6879390 by Sharayah Pranger