Resolve to Make Electrical Safety a Priority in 2012

The beginning of a new year ushers in a fresh start for many who annually make resolutions and set goals. Even if you do not traditionally make New Year’s resolutions, the Energy Education Council’s Safe Electricity program has one resolution you should definitely consider—protecting you and your home from electrical hazards.

Breaking this goal down into small, manageable steps can make keeping your New Year’s resolution more successful. The following tips, taken one step at a time, from Safe Electricity will help you to keep your home safe from electrical accidents:

• Electrical outlets – Check for loose-fitting plugs, which can be a shock or fire hazard. Replace missing or broken wall plates so wiring and components are not exposed. If you have young children in the home, make sure unused outlets are covered.
  
  
• Faulty appliances/electronics – If you have appliances or electronics that have given you shocks, blown a fuse, or tripped breakers, replace them during the new year. Look for cracks or damage in wiring and connectors. Use surge protectors to protect expensive electronics. Make sure your appliances and electronics are placed in dry locations—away from all water.

• Tamper Resistant Outlets – If you have young children, be sure tamper resistant outlets are installed in your house. Tamper resistant outlets only accept two or three pronged plugs. This means that a curious child will not be able to stick a paper clip or toy in an outlet. Tamper resistant outlets cost from $1 to $2 and can be installed by an electrician.

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) – GFCIs should be installed in any area of your house where water and electricity are used—including the kitchen, bathrooms, and basement. GFCIs provide protection against shock from appliances that have come in contact with water, as well as damaged or defective appliances. A GFCI constantly monitors the flow of electricity through a circuit and will shut the circuit down if it senses a ground-fault. An electrician can install GFCIs in your house. If your outdoor outlet is not already equipped with GFCI protection, use a GFCI extension cord.
  

• Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) – AFCIs are installed in your breaker box. AFCIs monitor current flow and can distinguish between normal, working arcs and unwanted, dangerous arcs. When an unwanted arcing condition is detected, it shuts down the circuit. An AFCI protects your house from one of the leading causes of fires. According to the Consumer Product and Safety Commission, arc faults cause more than 40,000 fires a year. The price of an AFCI depends on the size of the house. The typical cost ranges from $35 to $40.

“These simple safety practices will not take all year to put into practice,” says Molly Hall, executive director of the Safe Electricity program, “and they will help keep your loved ones safe from electrical accidents.”

For more electrical safety tips, go to SafeElectricity.org.

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