According to E.S.F.I., Electrical Safety Foundation International, this year’s campaign theme is Electrical Safety for All Ages. Annually, electrical failures cause over 43,000 home fires. These fires result in over 400 deaths, 1,430 injuries and $1.47 billion in property damage. While electrical hazards are a threat to the entire population, our youngest and oldest populations are exceptionally vulnerable. With that in mind, ESFI has developed a multifaceted campaign with valuable safety resources targeting our youngest and oldest populations, as well as up-to-date safety resources for the general public.
Please go to esfi.org to find more information, as well as downloads to use as a guide for checking your home. And while you’re at it, check your smoke alarms for operation and cleanliness.
Here are a few safety tips:
-Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s) in any rooms where electricity is used in close proximity to water-rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
-NEVER run electrical cords under rugs or carpets, and make sure that furniture legs do not rest on any extension cords.
-Do not use extension cords on a permanent basis, and NEVER use them with large appliances.
-Keep a watchful eye out for frequent issues with blowing fuses, and/or tripping circuit breakers-you may get a tingling feeling or slight shock when you touch an appliance, and outlets and switches that are warm to touch or make crackling, sizzling, or buzzing noises.
Did we mention to check your smoke alarms? If you are in need of smoke alarms, any resident of the city of Toledo can stop at any Toledo Fire Station and receive smoke alarms at no cost after filling out a short form with the firefighters on duty.