Heed Top Household Safety Concerns
There are many electrical hazards that are more commonly overlooked—and potentially more dangerous—than almost any others, says the National Safety Council. They are:
- If your home's electrical panel has not been inspected for more than 10 years, it's time to get it checked out.
- Unplug heat-producing appliances like irons and toasters when you're not using them.
- Burning a 100-watt bulb in a lamp designed for a 60-watt bulb is a fire hazard.
- Extension cords are meant for short-term, not permanent use.
- Test your ground-fault circuit interrupters every month. Here is how: Plug a night light into the socket and turn it on. Depress the "test" button. If the light turns off, the outlet works. If the "reset" button pops out but the light stays on, the GFCI isn't working. Call an electrician to fix it.
- Keep appliances away from water.
- Screw light bulbs in tightly. Loose bulbs can overheat and burn shades and nearby drapes or furniture.
- Never yank a cord out of a wall socket. Grip it in the area closest to the prongs.
- Using pennies to fix blown fuses can cause the electrical panel to overheat and catch on fire.