10 Tips for Electrical Safety in your Apartment
- Unplug appliance that are not in use and never use any appliance that has any exposed wires. Unplug any appliance that begins to smell funny or produce smoke and ensure to unplug appliances after use and when going to bed in night.
- Limit the use of extension cords or request installation of a new electrical outlet. Never overload extension cords with too many wires and keep all extension cords out of high traffic areas.
- Never put extension cords under carpet or rugs as it causes short- circuit. Disconnect the power source before taking up electrical repair work. In case of fire from electrical circuits, switch off the supply immediately and use sand, carbon dioxide or dry powder extinguishers. Do not use water.
- All electrical cords should have sufficient insulation to prevent direct contact with wires. Replace frayed or damaged electrical cord before it causes any fatal accidents. Check your electrical appliance and its cord at regular interval.
- Change naked wires with proper insulated wire or apply proper insulation over naked wire. Current or more shock occurs whenever naked electric wire touches the wet wall either due to ignorance or due to any fault. Switch off power in the portion where the water is likely to come in contact with electrical wire.
- Keep cables and connectors in good condition. Improper or worn electrical connections can cause short circuits and can increase the chance of an electrical shock.
- Wear insulated gloves when adjusting equipment. Power should be shut off and insulated gloves should be worn when making any equipment adjustment to assure shock protection.
- Ladders are necessary to accomplish some electrical jobs. Never use an aluminum ladder on any electrical project.
- Finally, if you are working on the service panel or a circuit, be sure to place a warning label on the face of the panel. This will warn someone not to turn on the circuit that you are working on.
- After turning a circuit off, it’s a good idea to check it with a tester to be sure that, indeed, it is off. Never assume that the circuit is off.
