With all the appliances, tools, cords and plugs we use in every day life, it's important to know how to use them safely.

Appliances

• Keep appliances, especially hair dryers, away from bathtubs, puddles, sinks, pools and wet hands.
• Unplug an appliance before cleaning - even if it's off, it can shock, and wet skin decreases your resistance to electricity significantly.
• Never put metal objects in live parts of appliances or in outlets. If an appliance overheats, unplug it and have it checked.
• Use only electrical equipment that is approved by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories.

Cord insulations

• Cord insulations won't withstand direct heat, repeated yanking, bending or wetness.
• To be safe, pull on the plug head, never on the cord.
• Never carry and appliance by it's cord.
• Don't run a cord under a rug or furniture. It may be damaged or overheat.

Three Prong Plug

When you use a plug with three prongs, the third prong connects inside the outlet with a "ground wire" which usually connects to a water pipe or a ground road at the service panel. As a result, in a short circuit, electricity should flow to the ground instead of through you. Never remove a third prong.

Prevent Electrical Fires

• If you've ever touched a hot light bulb, you know how hot it can get - up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for a 100-watt bulb. So keep anything that will burn away from light bulbs, portable heaters, or toasters.
• Turn off heating and cooking appliances before leaving home.
• Don't overload outlets.
• If you must use an extension cord temporarily, match the amperage or wattage limits marked on the cord and appliance to avoid a fire hazard.

Understanding how electricity works will enable you to use it safely around the home. Here are facts and tips that will help you avoid electrical hazards and injuries.

• How Shock Happens.
• Electrical Appliances.
• Working or Playing Outdoors.
• Electrical Safety for Children.

How Shock Happens

Electricity always seeks the shortest path to the ground. It tries to find a conductor, such as metal, wet sod, wet wood, water or your body. Your body is 70 percent water. So if you touch an energized bare wire or faulty appliance while you are grounded, electricity will instantly pass through you to the ground, causing a harmful or fatal shock.

It Doesn't Take Much

The amount of electricity used by one 7.5-watt bulb on a string of holiday lights can kill you in a fraction of a second if it passes through your chest. Even if it isn't fatal, electrical shock can easily cause serious falls, burns, cuts or internal bleeding.

Turning Power Off

Most service panels have a main switch. Use it to cut all power when changing a fuse, or in case of fire or shock. If you don't have a main switch, turn off all circuit breakers. Don't tamper with your electric meter. You'll risk shock, explosion or fire.

Is Your Home Wiring Adequate?

• Do fuses blow or circuit breakers trip often?
• Do toasters or irons not get as hot as they should?
• Does your TV picture shrink when appliances go on?
• Do you use extension cords because there aren't enough outlets?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, have your home inspected by a qualified technician.

Stop Shock Before It Stops You

When you use a plug with three prongs, the third prong connects inside the outlet with a "ground wire," which usually connects to a water pipe or a ground rod at the service panel. As a result, in a short circuit, electricity should flow to the ground instead of through you. Never remove the third prong.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

(GFCIs) are found in outlets and service panels. They monitor the flow of current to and from appliances. If there's an imbalance in the flow, current may be traveling through you, and the GFCI will quickly cut power to prevent serious injury.

GFCIs

• Are required in newer homes in bathrooms and garages, near sinks and outdoors.
• Are required on some basement outlets.
• Can be added as temporary plug-in GFCI adapters.
• Can also be added by an electrician as replacement outlets.

If your outlets don't have GFCI test and reset buttons, check your main service panel - you may have some ground fault protected circuit breakers.

What is a Ground Fault?

A ground fault occurs when electricity travels outside an intended path, because of a frayed wire or faulty device, and tries to get to the ground by the shortest route. Touch that device, and you may become that route. Unless you have an outlet with a GFCI, you may be seriously shocked or burned.