May is National Electrical Safety Month

  • Published
  • 60th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Prevention Office
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Fire Prevention office would like to remind the public of risks associated with the use of electricity, the use of appliances, tools and amenities that make our quality of life much better. The following information provides recent statistics and safety tips to assist individuals in taking steps to reduce the risk of experiencing a home or office electrical fire. 

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, in a national survey, approximately 53,000 home electrical fires have been reported per year, resulting in 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries and $1.5 billion in damages. Further, one in seven homes reportedly had some type of electrical fire. Electrical fires tend to happen more frequently in older homes. The older wiring and standards of the past do not have the safety precautions or technology of today. Please take the time to walk through and identify what may be positional hazards if you own a home built more than 30 years ago. 

Electrical distribution equipment such as wiring, light switches, outlets, cords, and plugs or lighting equipment, accounted for roughly half of the home electrical fires, followed by air conditioners, fans, clothes dryers and appliances. Whether you are using your power tools, plugging items into outlets or just enjoying your favorite electronic devices, the risks of fire may not be the first thing you are thinking of. 

The following safety precautions will help you prepare in making your home or office a safe environment for all to enjoy: 

-- Replace or repair loose or damaged cords on all electrical devices according to manufacturer's specifications. 

-- It is prohibited to run extension cords under carpets, through walls in office areas on Travis. Use Underwriters Laboratory-listed molding bridges for all electrical cords. Avoid running cords over doorways and under carpets in the home. Do not use cords in egress paths. 

-- In homes with small children, unused wall sockets and extension-cord receptacles should have plastic safety covers. 

-- Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician avoid using extension cords. 

-- Follow the manufacturers' instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet. 

-- Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time. Avoid using extension cords for high-wattage appliances. If you use a surge protector for these items, ensure it is rated to meet usage and avoid plugging any other items into the outlet. 

-- If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have them checked by a qualified electrician. If the outlets are smoking or sparking, cut the power to the house or office and call the fire department. 

-- When possible, avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle. 

-- Place lamps on level surfaces, away from flammable items and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage. 

Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of your home, office, co-workers or family. If you have any questions, contact the Travis Fire Prevention office at 424-3683. Remember prevention starts with you.