Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety Tips from Laurens CPW

Laurens CPW, your city's utilities services provider, recommends that homeowners adhere to these electrical safety tips to ensure your safety and reliable electricity operation.

Outdoor Electricity Tips

Before each use, inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers for frayed power cords, broken plugs, and cracked or broken housings. If you find any damage, do not use that electric device. Replace it or have it repaired.
When using tools or extension cords outside, ensure they are marked "for outdoor use."
Never use electrically operated tools in rainy or wet conditions.
Always unplug portable power tools when not in use. Do not leave a power tool unattended, even for short time, as this can result in serious injuries.
Remember, metal ladders conduct electricity. Be aware of any overhead wires or power lines.

Halogen Floor Lamp Safety Tips

Halogen lamps provide a clean, intense white light but they also operate at much higher temperatures than standard incandescent light bulbs. To reduce the risk of fire and burns, keep these simple safety tips in mind:

Never place a halogen floor lamp where it could come in contact with draperies, clothing, or other combustible materials.
Prevent trip hazards; keep your halogen lamp and its cord away from areas with high foot traffic.
Turn lamps off whenever you leave the room for an extended period.
Carefully read all instructions and warnings that accompany the lamp for important safety information.
Never use halogen lamps in children's bedrooms or playrooms. Children may play with lamps or place combustibles such as stuffed toys or clothing too close to the bulb area.
Make sure all the light bulbs in your home are the appropriate size and type for the lamp or fixture.

Check for Household Electrical Hazards

Many of us overlook our home's electricity service and system until we experience a power outage. However, with a little extra attention, household electrical hazards are easily identified and corrected:

Make sure that lamp and extension cords are not cracked, frayed, or covered by rugs or furniture.
Check the light bulb wattage to ensure it is appropriate for the fixture.
Keep electrical appliances away from damp and hot surfaces and make sure they have adequate ventilation.
Pay close attention to dim or flickering lights, arcs or sparks, sizzling, or buzzing sounds, odors, hot switch plates, loose plugs, and damaged insulation. These are signs of potential hazards and you should contact a qualified electrician.
Never remove the third prong of a three-pronged plug. Convert two-pronged outlets using an adapter with a ground tab.
Keep outdoor electrical outlets and products covered and dry when not in use.
If an electrical device falls into a pool or bathtub, unplug it immediately - before you reach into the water.
Turn off electrical devices if the cord overheats.
Never attempt to repair electrical devices on your own.

Safety Guidelines for Portable Generators

Use of portable generators during power outages can be dangerous if you don't follow connection instructions carefully. Improper use can "back feed" energy into power lines, endangering your life and the lives of electric utility workers repairing those power lines.

Portable generators are designed to be connected only to selected appliances or lamps. These generators should never be connected directly to a building's wiring system. To ensure you are using your generator safely:

Notify Laurens CPW if you are using a generator for emergency power.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions before connecting your generator.
Connect appliances directly to the portable generator; never connect a portable generator to your building's wiring system.
Always position your generator where its exhaust will vent safely.
Keep cords organized and out of the way so they don't present a tripping hazard, especially in dimly lit doorways or halls. Never run cords under rugs or where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.