May is National Electric Safety Month PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electric energy use is typically on the rise during warmer weather, so PECO suggests “there is no time like the present” to conduct an electrical home inspection. During National Electrical Safety Month in May, PECO encourages everyone to make sure your home is safe from electrical hazards to prevent injury and property damage. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it’s estimated more than 50 million homes and buildings have outdated or inadequate electrical wiring. “Electrical hazards have a tendency to remain hidden until it’s too late to avoid disaster. Don’t let the small cost of prevention stand in the way of protecting your family and your property,” says Doug Mokoid, PECO manager, Safety. “There are many things you can inspect on your own to ensure electrical safety in your home.” Spending more time outside? Awareness and safety go hand-in-hand. PECO cautions homeowners about the potential for accidents as many of us begin spring cleaning, outdoor landscaping and home improvement projects. For residents considering roof repairs, exterior painting, landscaping or building a patio, a few simple precautions can help avoid an accident: Working Safely Outdoors: -Look up, stay away, stay alive – even momentary contact with electric lines can injure or kill. This applies to lines attached to utility poles as well as those entering buildings. Always keep yourself, your equipment, and anything you carry at least 10 feet away from power lines. -Be aware of power lines that run through tree limbs and branches. Climbing or trimming trees near power lines is dangerous. Trees located near aerial power lines should always be trimmed by a qualified contractor. -Never touch or go near electrical equipment. -Never touch anything electrical if you are wet or standing in water. If you see a fallen power line, STAY AWAY. -Don't climb power poles or trees near power lines. -If you see anything marked "Danger," "High Voltage," or "Keep Out," STAY AWAY! -Be sure to use extension cords marked for outdoor use. An indoor extension cord used outdoors can result in electric shock or cause a fire hazard. -Call a licensed professional if your home repairs require work near power lines. PECO also offers the following general safety reminders. Inspect Your Home for Electrical Safety: -Check the cords of the appliances in your home as well as the plugs and connectors. Make sure that they are not frayed, cracked or damaged, placed under rugs or carpets, resting on furniture, or located in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple cords to walls, floors or any other objects. -If you have young children, make sure safety covers are used on unused outlets and outlets are not overloaded with too many appliance plugs. -Examine electrical cords to make sure they are not frayed, damaged or placed under rugs or carpets. Extension cords should be used on a temporary basis only because they are not intended for use as permanent household wiring. -Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in areas that can get wet such as the kitchen, bathrooms or outdoors. A GFCI is an inexpensive electrical safety device. GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly. It’s estimated more than two-thirds of the roughly 300 electrocutions occurring each year in and around the home could be prevented if GFCIs were installed. -An older home may be inadequately wired for today’s electrical usage, so to avoid the risk of fire or electric shock, hire a licensed professional to replace worn and outdated circuitry and add additional outlets to accommodate appliances and electronics. If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or gives you an electrical shock, immediately unplug, repair or replace it.
