Tag Archives: power cords

General Safety Issues

PORTABLE APPLIANCE SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN (GUEST POST)

Portable Appliances and Children – Tips to Ensure Safety 

What on earth would we ever do without our beloved household appliances? We depend on various electronic implements in every room of the house to help sustain our comfort, nourishment, health and beauty. While many appliances stay put year round, several others are transferred from room to room, as they’re needed. And this portability certainly provides substantial convenience in today’s modern homes, but with it comes a greater amount of risk—especially in households with young children. 

Kids of all ages are notoriously curious beings who frequently explore and test the boundaries of their environment by touching, grabbing, twisting, pulling and pushing almost anything within reach (just ask any parent). Because of this natural trait, children are vulnerable to the potential dangers associated with some of the following commonplace portable appliances: 

·         Climate control – fans, space heaters, humidifiers

·         Cleaning and maintenance – vacuums, irons, sewing machines

·         Health and nourishment – air purifiers, water coolers 

And some of the risk factors that accompany these appliances include: 

·         Flow of electricity

·         Temperature sensitivity

·         Sharp components

·         Sheer weight of the appliance 

While potential dangers to children do exist, parents don’t necessarily have to sacrifice owning and using portable appliances, especially since they rely on many of them to help care for their kids. Below are some safety tips that, when followed, allow children and portable appliances to coexist safely under one roof. 

1.      Place portable appliances on stable, level surfaces and out of a child’s reach, if possible. If a portable appliance, like a window air conditioner or a microwave oven, becomes a semi-permanent fixture, ensure it’s securely installed and regularly inspect the condition of its stability.

2.      Keep all electrical units and cords away from high-traffic areas where children can easily bump into or trip over them.

3.      Practice the utmost care for all power cords to avoid a child’s contact with electricity:

a.      Ensure cords and plugs are in good condition, without any exposed or frayed wires, or bent/broken prongs—replace as needed

b.      Do not run cords under rugs or carpets—concealed damage often remains unrepaired, which increases the risk of a child encountering a hazard

c.       Be sure all plugs are fully inserted into wall sockets at all times

d.      Unless it’s absolutely necessary, do not connect portable appliance power cords to extension cords—fewer places of potential exposure to electricity means fewer chances children will come into contact with it

4.      Position all portable appliances and power cords a safe distance away from water sources—and if an appliance contains water, such as a humidifier or water cooler, be sure there is no chance the water can spill onto the power source. Always unplug the unit when transferring water to or from it.

5.      Maintain at least three feet distance between any flammable materials and hot-to-the-touch appliances, such as space heaters and irons. Be extra watchful for your child’s toys and blankets.

6.      As often as humanly possible, do not leave your child alone in a room with a portable appliance, unless it’s securely located out of reach. 

Portable appliances are vastly safe for use in most households, but they can prove dangerous when in use around unattended children. If parents teach their kids simple rules right away, and perform essential safety measures, children can explore the curiosities of their home safely, and every household member can stay comfortable, nourished, healthy and beautiful. 

What are some other safety tips you’re willing to share?   How have you adapted the placement and usage of your portable appliances to ensure your young ones are safe from the threat of harm?  Please send your comments to pat@tasco-safety.com, and we will feature an article with your tips. 

 

 
Thank you, James, for this informative article.  To start off on the comments, I would say that curling irons left plugged in are very tempting to little hands. Hope we hear from some others who will add to our list. Pat
 
General Safety Issues

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRACTICES FOR INSPECTING AND PROTECTING YOUR HOME (GUEST POST)

We received this very informative article written by Tom Gillece of Gillece Services, and hope you pay attention to this and other posts that have warned us about possible electrical hazards in our homes. pb

A licensed electrician can conduct a thorough electrical inspection of your home to look for possible hazards, signs of damage, proper electrical capacity, and more, to ensure the safety and efficiency of electricity throughout your home. An electrical inspection is important especially in older homes and in cases where the electrical capacity is not great enough to meet the demands of a home’s electrical needs. Having your home inspected and inspecting what you can on your own, as well as taking steps to avoid possible electrical danger, can help to prevent potential electrical damage and fire.

While you may not be a professional, licensed electrician, there are still some basic signs you can look for and rules to follow when it comes to electrical security in your home. Detecting red flags ahead of time and utilizing your electrical connections appropriately can help you to keep your home safe and functioning properly.

What to look for:

Outlets and Switches:

Are your outlets or switches hot to the touch? Or do you notice a tear-shaped dark mark forming above an outlet? If so, you will want to stop immediate use of either. High heat and discoloration could indicate a serious problem with internal electrical wiring. Unplug anything in the outlet and turn off the coordinating switch. Outlet and switch cover plates, as well, should not be cracked or broken, as this could lead to exposed wiring. A professional electrician can fix or replace wall plates in addition to upgrading outlets, if suitable, from two-prong to three-prong outlets.

Power Cords and Power Strips:

Electrical cords need ventilation so that they don’t overheat. This means that cords around your home should not be placed under rugs or on furniture, nor nailed or stapled onto walls. Nails, staples, etc. can damage cords. Extension cords may be a good solution for extending electrical use, but only on a temporary basis. If your home is in need of more outlets or electrical capacity, consult with an electrician to address these problems for a permanent solution that is safer and more sufficient. Power strips fall under the same situation; they only provide more access to one source of electricity rather than increasing the power supply. So there is still a risk of a power surge or shortage occurring, which can lead to damage or fire.

Light Bulbs and Appliances:

Light bulbs and appliances should be used according to directed instructions and with proper size and operation in mind. Light bulbs should not exceed the unit’s wattage requirements in which they are being used. Bulbs should also be firmly screwed into place as loose bulbs can overheat. Other appliances that consistently blow a fuse or cause an electrical shock should be replaced as well as unplugged and turned off if in operation.

For further electrical protection and fire prevention, consider these solutions:

  • Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter:

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) automatically turns off power to a circuit when any problem or difference in electrical flow is detected. They prevent possible deadly shock that can occur from contact with a leakage current. GFCI’s are recommended for rooms with high water usage such as the bathroom or kitchen, and they should be tested monthly to ensure their operation.

  • Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

Each of these detectors is highly important in any home to alert occupants of impending danger. Smoke alarms are recommended to be installed in every bedroom and on every level of a home. It is best if they are all connected so that when one sounds, they all sound. They should be tested monthly and replaced typically every ten years, though sometimes sooner. Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to sound before life-threatening levels of carbon monoxide are reached in a home. They are recommended to be placed in hallways outside of bedrooms or in each of a home’s sleeping areas.

A professional electrician can inspect your home in all areas to address your concerns, provide options and solutions, or to reassure you of your home’s safe electrical condition. Upgrades may be necessary where more electrical capacity is needed or if electrical sources are damaged, outdated, or otherwise unsafe. Both a professional and personal evaluation of your home can help to prevent electrical damage and fire and to keep your home’s electricity secured and sufficient for ongoing use.

Gillece Services has been in business for over 30 years. They’re Pittsburgh’s one-stop-shop for Pittsburgh Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electrical, Indoor Air Quality, Water Quality, and Waterproofing services.

Find out more at http://www.gillece.com