Electrical safety is an important part of our lives that we rarely think about. All electrical systems have the potential to cause shock, injury, fires and death. In fact, according to the national fire protection association, approximately 50,000 home fires are caused every year by electricity, resulting in 450 deaths and 1,500 reported injuries. At work, the numbers reported for electrical incidents result in another 300 deaths and more than 3,500 injuries per year. Whether you are at home or at work, we have provided you with a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe in 2016!
Home electrical safety tips
- Check your home grid: make sure to have your electrical grid checked by a qualified, 5-star rated electrician, to ensure proper safety and use. If you have an older home, check to see that your system is up-to-date on national safety codes and compatible with your city’s electrical grid.
- Make sure new devices are compatible with your home’s system: as new technology emerges, new devices are drawing more power from our systems, which can cause system failures or far worse. To avoid a safety issue, check that your electrical system is compatible before installing the device.
Work electrical safety tips
- Conduct in safety training: make sure that all your business associates and staff are trained on electrical safety. This is mandatory to meet osha requirements and also to protect them and your business.
- Commercial and industrial work and equipment should be completed, inspected and certified by a professional: all commercial and industrial electrical work should be completed by a 5-star rated professional and regularly inspected and certified. For businesses that rely on use of electrical or industrial equipment, there should be a planned safety program that all employees should be aware of and trained accordingly.
- Safety procedures and exit routes should be posted: regardless of the size of your office, safety procedures and exit routes should be posted in a prominent location or a public space, so all employees have access to safety protocols and standards.
National fire protection association’s electrical safety tips
As a refresher, here are some electrical safety tips from the national fire protection association.
- Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
- Keep extension cords out of walkthrough, including doorways and under carpets.
- In homes with small children, make sure your home has tamper-resistant (tr) receptacles.
- Have a qualified electrician add additional circuits or outlets to your home, so you do not have to use extension cords.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
- Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
- Place lamps on level surfaces and only use bulbs that match the recommended wattage.
- Ensure there are ground fault circuit interrupters (gfcis) in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas.
- If outlets or switches feel warm, have frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuits, or you have flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.
If you think you may have an electrical safety issue in your home or need advice on an electrical issue, do not wait to contact a professional!
Wiremasters electric has been providing residential and commercial electrical services in south florida for years. Our goal is to operate above industry standards and provide quality services to meet your needs and surpass your expectations. Contact us today to find out more information and to set up an appointment with one of our miami electricians.