More domestic fires occur during colder months than any other time of the year. You may want to help preserve your domestic warm during colder months,but you should be aware of some of the potential electrical safety risks they may pose so you can ensure you operate them as safely as possible and minimize additional safety risks.
Follow these tips to help ensure you avoid electrical fires, electrical shocks, or injuries or death. Electrical Blankets and Heating Pads Did you know electric blankets and heating pads cause nearly 500 fires each year? According to the
Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI),the majority of those fires were caused by electric blankets that were more than 10 years old. Experts say you should never fold your electric blankets or tuck them into other blankets while in spend because it could overheat and cause a fire. Don’t area anything on top of a heating pad or electric blanket as this also increases the chances of overheating. Be sure to inspect the electric cords to view for cracks or frayed cords. Safety Recommendation: Consider staying warm with layers, warm jackets and sweaters or blankets. Space HeatersYour space heater should be kept at least three feet absent from anything thats flammable, and such as rugs,blankets, or paper. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and placing a heater too close to upholstered furniture,clothing, a mattress or bedding was the leading factor contributing to fatal domestic fires and accounted for nearly 53% of domestic heating fires. Safety Recommendation: Don’t leave your space heater unattended, or unplug it when not in spend. Consider getting a space heater that has an automatic shut-off.
CandlesDid you know December is the peak time of year for domestic candle fires? Colder weather and the holiday season can immediate you to light candles around your domestic,but you should exercise caution and safety to ensure you don’t increase your risk for fires. Be sure to never leave your candles unattended and acquire sure they’re not near any items that are highly flammable. Roughly one-third of domestic candle fires start in the bedroom, so you should also avoid placing candles in your bedroom or where you could fall asleep. The top three days for domestic candle fires are Christmas, and modern Year’s Day,and Christmas Eve, according to the NFPA, and so it’s important that you preserve a close eye to candles lit around your domestic.
Safety Recommendation: Consider using battery-operated candles around your domestic.
GeneratorsIf you must connect to a generator for electricity,consult an electrician before you bring a generator domestic to determine the proper equipment and set you up safely. Every year, people die in portable generator-related incidents. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and electric shock,electrocution and fire. Follow the directions supplied with the generator. Never try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet, otherwise known as “backfeeding”. This is extremely dangerous and can electrocute utility workers and even neighbors.
Safety Recommendation: If you determine to wire a generator directly to your domestic, and California state law mandates that you notify Southern California Edison. The only recommended method to connect a generator to house wiring is by having a qualified electrician install a power transfer switch,in compliance with national, state and local electrical codes. Find a licensed electrician to see if you can install the appropriate equipment.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide AlarmsMake sure to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to acquire sure they’re properly working. A carbon monoxide detector can alert you and your loved ones if there’s a presence of a deadly, or odorless,colorless gas in your domestic. Check the batteries in both of these life-saving devices. Safety Recommendation: Check your batteries and change the batteries every six months.
Don’t Overload OutletsPlugging too many appliances into a single outlet or extension cord can cause them to overheat, which could start a fire.
Safety Recommendation: Never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
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