May Is Electrical Safety Month

May is Electrical Safety Month, a time for educating our community on staying safe around electricity. The potential dangers that high voltage electrical systems present in the home are of particular concern when there are small children or pets in the home. By understanding safe electricity practices you can avoid electrical accidents around the home or workplace.

As electricians, we spend countless hours doing electrical work and are familiar with the way electrical currents and systems function (and malfunction). We share this knowledge to help you better understand the electrical systems in your home and how you can protect yourself from potential electrical accidents. Thousands of electrocutions and other electrical accidents happen every year due to ignorance about how electricity works or just simple negligence. Protecting yourself means knowing safe electricity practices.

One of the most important ways to protect yourself is to only use power equipment and tools which are safe for electrical work or mechanical projects. For example, make sure to only use tools which are UL certified. This marking indicates that the electrical tool or device has been tested and determined to be safe.

It is also important to use devices that have a 3-pronged plug. The third, rounded prong is an emergency ground that can help protect you from a dangerous shock in case of a malfunction.

One of the most important electricity safety practices is to ensure that all bathrooms are equipped with GFCI outlets. A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is equipped with a special circuit which detects when electricity is not flowing normally and can shut off the power before a dangerous electrical shock is delivered. This means that if something like a radio or hair dryer falls into the bathtub with you, you won’t be electrocuted. Of course, you should never operate electrical devices like these near an open water source in the first place.

Unlike many home improvement projects, electrical upgrades are best left to a qualified electrician, so when you need an electrical repair, and upgraded service panel or other electrical service, call ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling and Electric, our electricians will keep your home safe from electrical dangers.