Electrical safety tips:

Unplug appliances by pulling the plug, not the cord.
Remove items from overloaded outlets.
Use extension cords properly.
Use light bulbs of the correct wattage in lamps.

Prevent fires by looking for electrical hazards:
Keep electrical cords away from furniture and do not cover them with rugs.
Don't charge laptops and phones on beds or sofas unattended.
Don't overload your outlets.

Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more. Extension cords can overheat and cause fires when used improperly, so keep these important tips in mind to protect your home and workplace.

• Don’t attempt to plug extension cords into one another
• Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the device being used
• Keep all outdoor extension cords clear of snow and standing water
• Do NOT overload extension cords
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them
• Inspect cords for damage before use. Check for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections
• Do NOT nail or staple extension cords to walls or baseboards
• Do NOT run extension cords through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard
• Never use three-prong plugs with outlets that only have two slots. Never cut off the ground pin to force a fit, which could lead to electric shock
• Buy only cords that have been approved by an independent testing laboratory
• Do NOT substitute extension cords for permanent wiring
• Do NOT use an extension cord or power strip with heaters or fans, which could cause cords to overheat and result in a fire

Don't Overload Your Home

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 47,700 home fires in the U.S. are caused by electrical failures or malfunctions each year. These fires result in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading your electrical system.
Overloaded circuit warning signs:

• Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Warm or discolored wall plates
• Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
• Burning order coming from receptacles or wall switches
• Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches

How to prevent electrical overloads:

• Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
• All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets
• Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet

Appliance Safety Tips

Appliances are an integral part of every household, from a simple electric clock to the microwave oven. These safety tips can help keep all appliances operating safely:

• It's essential to ensure that any appliances you purchase are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another reputable consumer laboratory.
• Unplug unused appliances and stow cords safely out of reach of pets, young children or hazardous situations.
• Appliances that generate heat, such as clocks, televisions and computer monitors, should be given several inches of clearance all around for good air circulation and cooling. Do not drape clothes, toys or other items over warm appliances.
• Always follow appliance instructions carefully, and do not attempt amateur repairs or upgrades.
• Keep all electrical appliances away from water such as sinks, bathtubs, pools or overhead vents that may drip.
• Do not operate any electrical appliance with wet hands or while standing in water.
• Keep clothes, curtains, toys and other potentially combustible materials at away from radiators, space heaters, heating vents and other heat sources.