Make your home electrically safe
Our lifestyle is heavily dependent on electricity and one can't imagine life without it. However, electricity can be dangerous, if we don't "play by the rules". It may cause fire accidents or be hazardous to us. In fact, the current that passes through a bulb in a minute, can be fatal to us.
Buy quality appliances – Cheap electrical appliances may prove costly in the long run. When you scout to buy a new appliance, look for ISI Mark (ISI=Indian Standards Institution), be it for your sleek wet grinder or washing machine! Stick to standard mobiles and chargers. Follow the product instruction manual carefully. If a large plug is recommended to run the equipment, get it installed to avoid any damages to the wiring and other devices in your home.
Don't keep appliances plugged on to a plug point for a long time, especially when you don't use it regularly.
Avoid extension cords – A wire is a wire…whether it's inside the wall or outside….right? Wrong! Extension cords are strictly for temporary usage and are not designed to take heavy load. So, just dial your electrician's number and ask him to wire your home, according to the need. Also, don't put extension cord under the carpet, as it can short circuit.
Plug point and switch care – Switches that make a noise or get heated could indicate short circuit or loose contact. Get it checked/changed if you notice these problems. Also, look for discolouration of plug points and switches. The same goes for all appliances. If you hear any noise or detect smoke, get it checked with a technician. Don't overload the plug point with extensions. The maximum load a circuit can take is 800 watts.
Always buy standard switches and plug points, which have an ISI mark. Also, switch boards should be at a height of at least 5 feet.
Baby proof/Pet proof home – Babies and pets really don't know the difference between an electrical cord and chew-toy. So ensure that switches and wires are out of reach of kids and pets and thus don't run on the floor.
Ensure ground wire is intact – Often ignored but ground wire is very important for a home's electrical safety. It provides a safe exit for fault current, keeping you and your appliances safe from unexpected shocks. Ground wire's thickness should be 2 mm2 for Copper wires and 4mm2 for Aluminum wires.
Home wiring – If you are looking to buy a home, ensure that all wiring is done as per ISI specifications. You can get a handbook of Indian electricity acts and rules over the net.
If you live in an old home, get the wiring inspected by a qualified electrician. Over time, wires often corrode and may cause fire, so they might need a little repair and changing.
Wiring takes the entire electrical load, thus buy wires of right gauge made by a standard company, which has an ISI mark.
Cords: Make sure cords are in good condition; not frayed or cracked. Make sure they are placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to other objects and should not have any furniture resting on them.
Plugs: Make sure the proper type plug is in each outlet. If you are using three-prong plugs in a room with two-conductor outlets, do not cut off the ground pin (the third/bottom prong) from the plug; this could lead to an electrical shock hazard. A better solution is to use a two-prong adapter.
NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF IT DOESN'T FIT. This could lead to fire or shock. Plugs should fit securely into outlets; and outlets should not be overloaded.
Outlets: Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Replace any broken wall plates. Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.
Ground Fault Circuit Interupters (GFCIs): GFCIs should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Light Bulbs: Check the wattage of all bulbs in lighting fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the fixture. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended; if you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer of the fixture. Make sure the bulbs are screwed in securely - loose bulbs may overheat.
Circuit Breakers/Fuses: Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct size for the circuits. If you don't know the correct size fuse, have an electrician identify and label the sizes to be used. Never replace a fuse with anything but the correct size fuse.
WATER AND ELECTRICITY DON'T MIX: Don't place any electrical appliance near water such as a sink or bathtub. Appliances that are used near water should be unplugged when not in use. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, unplug it and don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person.
Entertainment/Computer Equipment: Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly; look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs, cords and connectors.
Electricity always tries to get to the ground. If you get in the way, electricity could go through you to get there! Contact with electricity can cause:
- Electrical shock - this is when electrical current passes through the body. Even a small shock can be frightening and painful.
- Burns - Electric current can burn the skin, nerves, muscles and tissues in the body.
- Death - A severe electrical shock can cause problems with a person's breathing and heartbeat, possibly leading to death.
Remember, electricity is very safe-as long as you are careful.
Outdoors
Never touch any outdoor wires with your body or any object. You should know that:
- Outdoor wires may not be covered with insulating material to protect you. In other cases, the weather may have damaged the insulation.
- Birds can sit on wires because they aren't "grounded" (no part of them is touching the ground). Remember, electricity is always seeking a path to the ground.
- Lineworkers wear special clothing and use special equipment to protect them when working on power lines and other equipment.
Remember these tips when you're playing with kites, model planes or balloons.
- Stay away from electric wires and anything that touches them. Fly your kite or model plane in an open space, such as a field or park.
- Use only nonconducting materials to make a kite. Use plastic, paper, wood and string. Be sure your kite doesn't contain wire, metal or foil.
- Never climb a utility pole or nearby tree if your toy gets caught in power lines. Call your electric utility if you need help.
- Don't fly toys in the rain or in a storm. Wet strings or wires can conduct electricity.
- Don't release metallic balloons outside. They are dangerous conductors of electricity.
More ways to be safe outdoors:
- Watch out for overhead wires when you're around trees, or if you're using a ladder, pool skimmer or any long object.
- Look before you climb any tree to be sure no wires run through it or near it. Even if wires aren't touching the tree, they could touch after your weight is added to the branch.
- Keep electrical appliances and toys away from water, including: rain, wet ground, swimming pools, sprinklers and hoses.
- Make sure tools and appliances are approved for outdoor use. They are made with heavier wiring, special insulating and three-way grounded plugs.
- Be alert for damaged plugs and cords on outdoor electrical appliances and fixtures. Don't touch or use them if they are damaged. Outdoor electrical outlets should have weatherproof covers and GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) to protect against shock.Tell an adult if you notice a problem.
Stay away from metal fences that are electrified to protect property or keep in animals. (Other metal fences could become electrified by a downed wire. Be very careful, especially after a storm.)
Indoors
Always be careful when you use any electrical appliance or toy inside your home. Remember these tips:
- Never put your finger or anything other than an electrical plug in an outlet.
- Pull by the plug not the cord when unplugging an appliance.
- Don't use an electrical appliance when you're wet, have wet hands or you're standing in water. Be sure outlets near water sources have GFCIs.
- Limit the number of appliances plugged into each outlet.
- Be alert for damaged plugs and cords. Don't touch them! Tell an adult.
- Do not place electric cords so that they run through doorways or under carpets.
Electrical Storms
Lightning is powerful electricity in the air. Knowing what to do during an electrical storm can help keep you safe.
- Get inside a building, if possible. Keep away from windows and open doors.
- Don't use electrical appliances or the telephone. Lightning can follow the wires into your home.
- Stay out of the shower or bathtub. Lightning can travel through the pipes, too.
- Avoid trees, poles and other tall objects. Also avoid large metal objects. These things are targets for lightning.
- Go to low ground and crouch down low if you're caught outdoors.
- Stay out of the water-never go swimming or boating during a storm. If you're in the water, get out as quickly as possible.
What to do in an electrical emergency
Downed Wire
Stay away from all downed wires-even if there are no sparks. Don't touch anything-or anyone-that is touching one. Get help right away.
Downed Wire Touching a Vehicle
If you are inside the vehicle, wait inside for help. If you must get out, jump clear without touching the ground and the vehicle at the same time. Shuffle, don't run away. If you are a witness, stay clear and call for help.
Electrical Fire
Get help right away. Unplug the faulty appliance or turn off the power, if possible. Never throw water on an electrical fire!
Electrical Shock
Never touch a person who is being shocked. Unplug the faulty appliance or turn off the power, if possible. Call for help immediately.
