Electrical Safety In and Around the Home

Electrical Safety In and Around the Home

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety In and Around the HomeElectrical Safety In and Around the Home

Developed by:American Burn AssociationBurn Prevention Committee

Developed by:American Burn AssociationBurn Prevention Committee

Funded by:United States Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency

Funded by:United States Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency

Electrical Safety

Fire and Burn Death and Severe Burn InjuryFire and Burn Death and Severe Burn Injury

Deaths4,000 deaths a yearfrom fire and burns

Injuries 25,000 severe injuries admitted to burn centers

600,000 burn injuries treated in hospital ED’s

Deaths4,000 deaths a yearfrom fire and burns

Injuries 25,000 severe injuries admitted to burn centers

600,000 burn injuries treated in hospital ED’s

(Sources: National Fire Protection Association,National Center for Health Statistics)

(Sources: National Fire Protection Association,National Center for Health Statistics)

Electrical Safety

Incidence of Severe Electrical Injury Incidence of Severe Electrical Injury

1,000 Annual Admissions to Burn Centers Workers Toddlers Older children Do-it-yourselfers

1,000 Annual Admissions to Burn Centers Workers Toddlers Older children Do-it-yourselfers

Electrical Safety

Electrical Burn Injury TopicsElectrical Burn Injury Topics

Main causes

Special risks to toddlers, older children

Prevention

Immediate first aid response

Main causes

Special risks to toddlers, older children

Prevention

Immediate first aid response

Electrical Safety

Electricity Dominates Our LivesElectricity Dominates Our Lives

Electrical Safety

Wall Switches and OutletsWall Switches and Outlets

OutletOutletOutletOutletWall Switch

Electrical Safety

Small Investment, Big Lifesaver Small Investment, Big Lifesaver

GFCI =

Ground Fault

Circuit Interrupter

GFCI =

Ground Fault

Circuit Interrupter

Electrical Safety

Testing a GFCI(Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)Testing a GFCI(Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)

Test ButtonTest Button

Reset ButtonReset Button

Electrical Safety

Outlet Locations Needing GFCI ProtectionOutlet Locations Needing GFCI Protection

Kitchen counter top Bathroom Near a wet bar sink Swimming pool, spa, hot tub All outdoor receptacles Work area Garage Crawl space Unfinished room in basement or storage area

Kitchen counter top Bathroom Near a wet bar sink Swimming pool, spa, hot tub All outdoor receptacles Work area Garage Crawl space Unfinished room in basement or storage area

Electrical Safety

Special Note for Pre-1970 Construction Special Note for Pre-1970 Construction

Homes built before 1970 and not renovated may lack GFCI protection

An electrician should check such homes and install GFCI protection where needed

Homes built before 1970 and not renovated may lack GFCI protection

An electrician should check such homes and install GFCI protection where needed

Electrical Safety

Capacity Issue: Overloaded Electrical OutletsCapacity Issue: Overloaded Electrical Outlets

Electrical Safety

Capacity Issue: Approved Power StripsCapacity Issue: Approved Power Strips

Electrical Safety

Capacity Issue: Circuits and House ServiceCapacity Issue: Circuits and House Service

Electrical Safety

Extension Cord SafetyExtension Cord Safety

Indoor Outdoor

Electrical Safety

Extension Cord Safety Inside the HomeExtension Cord Safety Inside the Home

Use on temporary basis only

Keep unplugged when not in use

Keep slack: don’t stretch tight

Do not place across doorways, in heavy traffic areas, under rugs

Do not staple or nail to wall

Do not alter a 3-prong plug to accommodate a 2-hole outlet

Use on temporary basis only

Keep unplugged when not in use

Keep slack: don’t stretch tight

Do not place across doorways, in heavy traffic areas, under rugs

Do not staple or nail to wall

Do not alter a 3-prong plug to accommodate a 2-hole outlet

Electrical Safety

Check Cords and Plugs for Hazards Check Cords and Plugs for Hazards

Electrical Safety

Unplug Appliances at the Plug, Not By Its CordUnplug Appliances at the Plug, Not By Its Cord

Electrical Safety

Check Lamps and Light Fixtures for Bulb Wattage RecommendationsCheck Lamps and Light Fixtures for Bulb Wattage Recommendations

CAUTION: Risk of Fire.Use Maximum 60 Watt Bulb or Lower.

Electrical Safety

Your Kitchen: Haven or Hazard?Your Kitchen: Haven or Hazard?

Electrical Safety

Keep Appliances Away from Water on a Dry Surface While in UseKeep Appliances Away from Water on a Dry Surface While in Use

Insert images of Kitchen appliances and their proper/improper use

Electrical Safety

Remember…Water and Electricity Don’t Mix Remember…Water and Electricity Don’t Mix

Electrical Safety

Heating Pad and Electric Blanket Hazards Heating Pad and Electric Blanket Hazards

Heating Pads and Electric Blankets •Never place anything heavy on pads or blankets•Never sit or sleep on them•Turn off after leaving bed

Heating pads•Never sit or sleep on one .Limit use to 15-20 minutes •Use automatic switch or timer to control use

Electrical Safety

Outdoor Household Electrical Safety Outdoor Household Electrical Safety

Assure power source is GFCI-protected

Use proper extension cords

Practice handling equipment before connecting to power source

Never use in wet conditions

Assure power source is GFCI-protected

Use proper extension cords

Practice handling equipment before connecting to power source

Never use in wet conditions

Electrical Safety

Outdoor Extension Cord Safety Outdoor Extension Cord Safety

Do not use “indoor” cords outdoors

Determine needed length and cord gauge

Store all cords indoors when not in use

Do not use “indoor” cords outdoors

Determine needed length and cord gauge

Store all cords indoors when not in use

Electrical Safety

Avoid Severing Outdoor Extension CordsAvoid Severing Outdoor Extension Cords

Electrical Safety

Look UP and LiveLook UP and Live

Ladder Pruning Saw

Electrical Safety

Call Before You Dig!Call Before You Dig!

Call Before You Dig!

Electrical Safety

Call Before You Dig. Don’t Get Burned.Call Before You Dig. Don’t Get Burned.

Electrical Safety

Preventing Electrical Injuries to ChildrenPreventing Electrical Injuries to Children

Create and maintain a child-safe

environment Begin early to make children understand

the dangers of electricity

Create and maintain a child-safe

environment Begin early to make children understand

the dangers of electricity

Electrical Safety

Precautions for ToddlersPrecautions for Toddlers

Cover unused outlets

Keep countertop appliance cords toward the back of counters

Keep extension cords out of sight and reach

Protect children from irons during, after use

Cover unused outlets

Keep countertop appliance cords toward the back of counters

Keep extension cords out of sight and reach

Protect children from irons during, after use

Electrical Safety

Preventing Electrical Injuries to ChildrenPreventing Electrical Injuries to Children

Typicalelectrical cordburn

Typicalelectrical cordburn

Electrical Safety

Protecting Children from Electrical OutletsProtecting Children from Electrical Outlets

Electrical Safety

Protecting Children from Electrical Outlets Protecting Children from Electrical Outlets

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety MessagesFor Older ChildrenElectrical Safety MessagesFor Older Children

Use electrical appliances safely – away from water or wet areas

Keep metallic balloons indoors

Pay special attention to outdoor hazards

Use electrical appliances safely – away from water or wet areas

Keep metallic balloons indoors

Pay special attention to outdoor hazards

Electrical Safety

Avoid Power Lines Avoid Power Lines

Never attempt to retrieve any item from an overhead wire

Keep kites and balloons away from power lines

Climbing trees near a power line is doubly hazardous

Never attempt to retrieve any item from an overhead wire

Keep kites and balloons away from power lines

Climbing trees near a power line is doubly hazardous

Electrical Safety

Don’t Play Near Ground TransformersDon’t Play Near Ground Transformers

Warning: High Voltage – Keep OutWarning: High Voltage – Keep Out

Electrical Safety

Stay Away from Electrical Substations Stay Away from Electrical Substations

Respect the extreme danger of electric current passing through substations and transformers

Respect their “Warning: High Voltage” signs and stay away

Respect the extreme danger of electric current passing through substations and transformers

Respect their “Warning: High Voltage” signs and stay away

Electrical Safety

Emergency Care of Electrical BurnsEmergency Care of Electrical Burns

Protect yourself first

–Don’t be the next victim

–Don’t touch patient until the power is off

– If you are unsure how to turn power off,wait for qualified help to arrive

–Never use water on an electrical fire

Protect yourself first

–Don’t be the next victim

–Don’t touch patient until the power is off

– If you are unsure how to turn power off,wait for qualified help to arrive

–Never use water on an electrical fire

Electrical Safety

When the Injured Person is Safely Away from and No Longer in Contact with ElectricityWhen the Injured Person is Safely Away from and No Longer in Contact with Electricity

Assess airway, breathing and circulation

If the person is not breathing or has no pulse start CPR and call 9-1-1

Continue CPR as needed before focusing on the burn injury

Assess airway, breathing and circulation

If the person is not breathing or has no pulse start CPR and call 9-1-1

Continue CPR as needed before focusing on the burn injury

Electrical Safety

If the Person is Conscious and BreathingIf the Person is Conscious and Breathing

Stop the burning process; cool with water

Call 9-1-1

In high voltage injuries, do not move patient, to limit potential damage from fractures

Remove jewelry and constrictive clothing

Cover the person and keep warm until emergency personnel arrive

Stop the burning process; cool with water

Call 9-1-1

In high voltage injuries, do not move patient, to limit potential damage from fractures

Remove jewelry and constrictive clothing

Cover the person and keep warm until emergency personnel arrive

Electrical Safety

Why Electrical Burns Always Need Medical CareWhy Electrical Burns Always Need Medical Care

Electric current strongest at contact points

Contact points do not predict scope of damage to underlying tissue

Contact can make heart beat irregularly or stop

Injured patient may need cardiac monitoring

Electric current strongest at contact points

Contact points do not predict scope of damage to underlying tissue

Contact can make heart beat irregularly or stop

Injured patient may need cardiac monitoring

Electrical Safety

ConclusionConclusion

All electrical injuries are potentially severe and should be seen by a physician

Most electrical injuries around the home are preventable

Always use proper care when using electrical appliances

All electrical injuries are potentially severe and should be seen by a physician

Most electrical injuries around the home are preventable

Always use proper care when using electrical appliances

Be Aware!Be Aware!Always be careful when using electricityAlways be careful when using electricity