Home Electrical Safety

Home Safety Tips

• Always look up before raising ladders or other long or tall objects.  Keep ladders and scaffolds as far away from power lines as possible.
• Always keep electrical toys, electrical appliances (hedge trimmers, leaf blowers,) grills, and other items clear of any water including swimming pools, fish ponds, rain, sprinklers, ditches and hoses. Remember that water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
• Never put anything other than an electric plug into an electric socket. Do not put fingers, pencils or any objects into any outlet at any time and make sure that children do not do this. Safety caps available at any discount, drug or grocery store can be placed in unused outlets for safety.
• Remove plugs from outlets by grasping the plug and not the cord. Tugging or pulling electrical cords can damage the cords and create a potential safety hazard.
• Never use any electrical appliance or device when wet, with wet hands or when standing in water.
• Keep fire extinguishers throughout the home and make sure that at least one of them is rated for electrical fires. Never attempt to put out an electrical fire with water.
• In the event of electric shock, do not attempt to provide first aid but call 9-1-1 for professional medical help immediately.
• Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
• Don’t climb trees near power lines.
• Never fly kites, remote control airplanes, drones or balloons near power lines.
• If you get something stuck in a power line, call CTEC to get it.
• Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.
• Never touch or go near a downed power line.
• Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
• Keep children and pets away.

Electrical Safety Videos