Electric Safety Do's and Don'ts

To avoid being hurt around electricity, remember these tips and use common sense.

Do's
Pull the plug itself, not the cord attached to it.
Disconnect any appliance that sparks and have it repaired immediately.
Always disconnect appliances before cleaning them.
Keep combustible materials away from lamps or heating devices.
Turn off appliances when you leave home.
Follow manufacturers' instructions when operating electrical devices. All electrical devices should carry an
Underwriters Laboratory approval tag.
Make sure outdoor electrical outlets are covered with weatherproof covers.
Use extension cords only for temporary applications.
Keep electrical cords away from hot appliances.
Keep appliances clean and free of dust, lint and grease.
Keep work areas clean and dry. Sparks can ignite wood scraps, sawdust and solvents.
Use moisture resistant cords when outside. Certain outlets for outdoor appliances or tools should have a ground fault interrupter
(G.F.I). This type of circuit breaker, installed in an outlet, protects the user from shock.
Use heavy duty cords when using power tools.
When utilizing adapters, make sure to screw in the wire for grounding.
Wear rubber soled shoes when operating power tools.
Make sure your power tools are grounded or certified double insulated.

Don'ts
Never turn on an appliance when standing or sitting in water. Shocks can be fatal.
Never overload a circuit by plugging in too many appliances.
Plug three-way grounded plugs into appropriate outlets. Never tamper with the third prong.
Never install cords under rugs where they will become worn by foot traffic.

Inside your home:

 DO cover all electrical outlets and wall switches with cover plates, and
replace any that are damaged.
 Do protect small children and pets by using plastic safety covers in all
unused outlets and keeping cords out of sight and reach.
 Do make sure all electrical devices are in good repair - if a damaged wire
inside a tool or appliance touches the body of the device, it would be the
same as touching a bare wire.
 Do use extension cords only on a temporary basis.
 Do use a quality surge suppresser with enough sockets for every
component.
 Do keep all electrical devices away from water sources.
 Do flag the fuse or breaker switch so no one else touches it while you're
working. If you're not sure which circuit you'll be working on, turn off the
main breaker switch or remove the primary fuse cartridge.
 DON'T yank electrical cords from the wall - this can damage both the plug
and the outlet.
 DON'T attach a cord to another surface with nails or staples - they can
damage the insulation.
  DON'T use damaged or brittle electrical cords, even if bare wires aren't
visible.
 DON'T attempt to fix an electrical appliance or tool while the unit is plugged
in.
 DON'T plug one extension cord into another.

Outside your home:

 Do have GFCI outlets and waterproof covers on all outdoor
outlets.
 Do look out for overhead power lines every time you use a
ladder or pole. Stay at least 10 feet away from any
electrical lines.
 Do call a professional for help trimming trees near power
lines.
 Do keep electrical devices and cords away from water.
 Do keep children and pets away from padmount
transformers. If the door is open or the lock is broken, call your electric
company right away.
 Do teach kids to stay far away from substations, and explain what the
warning signs mean.
 DON'T assume the black coating on wires is insulation - it could be just
plastic weatherproofing that provides no protection from contact injuries.
 DON'T let kids climb trees or fly kites near power lines.
 DON'T disguise transformers or meters with paint or bushes - a utility
worker might need to work safely around it or find it quickly in an
emergency.
 DON'T hang signs on utility poles. Nail, staples or tacks can pose a big
danger to workers who must climb the poles.
 DON'T tamper with an electric meter (it's dangerous and illegal), and keep
it free of ice and snow during the winter.