Electric shock can cause serious injury or death. Some simple precautions can prevent electric shock hazards around the home.
* Inspect electric cords for fraying. If you see a crack in the insulation, repair or replace it. Cords exposed to frequent motion, sun, or aging are most likely to be frayed. Another common cause of fraying is chewing by a dog, or gnawing by a rodent.
* Do not overload electrical circuits. This may happen when you plug too many appliances into the same outlet using adapters.
* All outlets in the home should be of the three-pronged type. Replace all the older two-pronged outlets. Do not use adapters that allow you to plug a three-pronged appliance into a two-pronged outlet.
* Keep all electric appliances away from water, such as a sink or a bathtub. Do not handle extension cords, electric appliances, or plug anything into an electrical outlet while you are wet.
* Inspect electrical outlets used near sources of water, such as the bathroom sink or near a hot tub, spa, or swimming pool. All such outlets should be a special type known as ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlets.
* Keep electric appliances, outlets, and light bulbs away from flammable liquids or products that produce vapors.
* Make sure that children do not play near or climb on electric lines on a power pole or where these lines enter a house.
* If small children are present in a home, insert plastic safety caps in all unused electrical outlets.
* Do not use the telephone, use any hand-held electrical appliance, or take a bath or shower during a lightning storm. Do not walk out in the open, or take cover under a tree, during such a storm.

Many local power companies have literature available that helps identify potential electrical home hazards. Call your local power company for more information.

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