Danny’s Electrical Service Wants You to Have a Happy and Safe Holiday
It’s the hap-happiest season of all, and to help brighten your home keep extension cord safety in mind. Extension cords are so convenient that they’re easy to misuse. Despite being an everyday item, it’s easy to turn this handy piece of equipment into a major safety hazard.
Proper Extension Cord Use is Critical to Your Safety
Using extension cords properly is critical to your safety. With use over time, an extension cord can deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard. Extension cords are to blame for more than 3,000 home fires. These fires result in 50 deaths and 270 injuries each year, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
Plug Lights or Decorations Directly Into an Outlet
Plug lights or decorations directly into an outlet whenever possible. Typically, it’s safe to use a power strip or extension cord, but never together. If you are going to use an extension cord, please follow these safety tips.
- Do not overload extension cords.
- Do not allow them to run through water or snow on the ground.
- Do not run through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors.
- Keep cord uncovered. If covered, heat cannot escape, resulting in a fire hazard.
- Do not chain extension cords together.
- Make sure the extension cord rates for the products plugged in, and labeled for either indoor or outdoor use.
- Don’t tack extension cords to the wall with nails or staples. This creates a fire hazard and may shock you.
Store Extension Cords Properly
After the holidays are over, make sure you store your extension cords and lights properly. Wrap or coil them in a manner similar to how it looked when you bought it. Then place it somewhere safe. Next year before you use it again, inspect the cord for any cracks or exposed wires. If you see any signs of damage, throw it away, and buy a new one.
For more electrical safety tips, give Danny’s Electrical Service Inc. a call at (540)998-5750 or follow us on Facebook for updates. We are always happy to discuss more about extension cord safety.