Safety Tips

Carbon Monoxide

Have a qualified technician inspect your heating system and hot water heater before the heating season begins. If you buy an older house or rent an apartment or home, have the system checked.
Buy heating and cooking equipment approved by an independent testing laboratory.
If you live in base housing and use supplemental heaters, make sure they are permitted.
Read the manufacturer's warning about ventilation. Have them inspected by a qualified technician every year.
Never use a hibachi or barbecue grill inside a home or garage.
Ensure the flue is clear before lighting your fireplace.
Never leave your car or truck running in the garage. Do not assume opening the garage door will let in enough fresh air. When you start your car or truck, drive it outside immediately. When you return, turn the motor off when you stop. If you suspect there is an exhaust leak, get it fixed right away.
Install a carbon monoxide detector inside your home to provide early warning. These devices sound an alarm when the concentration of CO in the air corresponds to a level of poisoning still so low that people do not become sick. Follow manufacturer's recommendations for correct placement. Test the device every month and replace the detector or battery as recommended, generally every two years.
If you ever think you are experiencing CO poisoning, get into fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows. Call for help or go to an emergency room. Don't wait.

Electrical Safety

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), top electrical safety hazards include electrical fires caused by aging wiring and misuse of surge suppressors, and electrocutions from wiring systems and large appliances. Electricity causes more than 40,000 fires ever year in the United States, resulting in hundreds of injuries and deaths.

Insulation is a primary protection against electric shock, but it can get worn or cracked. Inspect it regularly. Look for frayed cords on power tools.
Replace damaged electrical equipment or have it repaired at an authorized repair center. Replace frayed cords, broken plugs or cracks that could cause hazards; cut and throw out damaged cords.
Plug grounded (3-wire) tools only into grounded outlets.
Don't pick up power tools by their power cords.
Read and obey all signs and posted warnings. Don't let these important sources of information become an unnoticed part of the landscape.
Don't work with electricity in the rain. Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity, in areas such your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom or outdoors, to protect against electric shock.
Leave technical, complicated or confusing tasks involving electricity to electricians and other specialists. A little knowledge can definitely be a dangerous thing when it comes to wiring, troubleshooting and repairing electrical devices and circuits.
Use a wood or fiberglass ladder if you are working with or around electricity.
If you are working with someone who gets shocked, first make sure you shut down the source of the current. If the victim appears to still be touching the source of the shock, move him or her away using something make of wood or plastic.
Make sure that all appliances and equipment are approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
For appliances and equipment, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
When using a generator, plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord that is free of cuts and tears and has a 3-prong plug.
Make sure power strips and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads for their intended use. Don't overload circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet.

Extension Cords: Do's and Don'ts

If an extension cord is not marked for outdoor use, use it indoors only. The UL label will tell you if it is OK for outdoors
Inspect the cord before you use it. Look for areas that are cracked or frayed. If you find any, dispose of the cord.
The appliance or tool that you are using the cord with will have a wattage rating on it. Match this up with your extension cord. Don't use a cord that has a lower rating.
Don't run extension cords through doorways, or through holes in ceilings, walls or floors.
Make sure the appliance or tool is off before you plug it into the cord.
Make sure the plug is fully inserted in the outlet.
Don't remove, bend or modify any of the metal parts of the cord's plug.
Don't plug a three-prong plug into a two-hole cord.
You shouldn't have to force a plug into an outlet.
If the plug is too loose in the outlet, the outlet may be too old and needs to be replaced.
Some cords are polarized; one hole on the plug is larger than the other. Match up the outlet and the cord.
During use:
- Keep away from water.
- Don't use it when it is wet.
- Keep it away from children and pets.
- Don't plug one extension cord into another.
- Don't overheat the cord. Uncoil it, and don't cover it with anything.
- Don't drive over the cord. Don't drag it on lay anything on it.
- Don't walk on it.
After use:
- Remove it from an outlet by pulling on the plug, not the cord.
- Store it indoors.
- Unplug it when not in use.

Fires in the Home

Install smoke detectors, and check them once a month. Change batteries at least once a year.
Read and follow the rules for where to install them. You should have at least one on each floor.
When you buy smoke detectors, look for a label from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
Keep a list of emergency numbers near your telephone. But remember that if a fire breaks out, don't call the fire department or 9-1-1 from inside. Get out and call from a cell phone or a neighbor's house.
Devise and practice a fire-escape plan for your family and home.
After a fire, stay out of the building until firefighters give the OK to return.
Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Don't leave them on when you leave your house.
Don't smoke in bed or when you're getting sleepy. Neglected cigarettes are a major cause of fires.
When cooking, make sure that the handles on pots, sauce pans and frying pans don't hang over the edge of the stove.
If grease catches fire, cover it with a metal lid, then turn off the burner.
Keep matches and lighters out of the hands of children. The best place would be locked.
If an appliance or wall outlet smokes, smells or gives off sparks, have it checked and/or repaired immediately.

Home Checklist

When you buy a new appliance, tool or other product, read and follow the instructions and warnings that come with it. Don't assume you know the best way to use something, or that you are familiar with all of the hazards involved.
Keep the instructions on file, and refer to them if you are repairing or doing maintenance on the product, or if you haven't used the product or appliance for a while.
Understand common fire hazards and how to avoid them. See our SafeTips on "Fires In The Home" and "Smoke Alarms."
Learn about the dangers of carbon monoxide, as well. Check the SafeTips on "Carbon Monoxid"
Always use tools, appliances, electric devices and other products for their intended purpose. A screw driver doesn't make a very good chisel because it isn't sharp enough and the handle isn't made to be pounded on. In the same way, misusing products not only doesn't work very well, but it can produce surprising and serious hazards.
Don't let the cords from electric appliances dangle over countertops where someone could trip over them, or where a small child could pull on them.
Unplug portable and countertop appliances when you aren't using them, including such devices as hair dryers, electric shavers, coffee makers, and toasters.
Keep heaters, lamps, radios, televisions and telephones away from bathtubs, saunas, sinks and swimming pools.
Don't overload electric circuits. Don't try to draw more than 1,500 watts from the same circuit (you will find wattage on the device's name plate or in its booklet). Several outlets may be on the same circuit.
If you have fuses, use ones that have the right current or amp rating.
Turn off the main power switch before changing a fuse.
Don't use extension cords to replace permanent outlets. If you must use an extension cord, uncoil it while you use it.
You aren't supposed to use extension cords with some types of appliances or tools.
While working in the yard with mowers, edgers or leaf blowers, were eye and ear protection.
Check the SafeTips for using "Ladders."

Kitchen Fires

Make sure the pilot light(s) always works.
Clean up accumulated grease.
Regularly clean or replace vent screens.
Don't smoke in the kitchen.
Know the location, type and purpose of your fire extinguisher.
Avoid wearing loose clothing that can get caught in flames or appliances.
Use an approved fire extinguisher or baking soda to put out small flames. When fying or heating oil, make sure the pot or pan has a lid that the lid is handy. Cover a burning pan with a lid. If anyone's clothing catches fire, the rule is to stop, drop and roll.
Keep the handles of pots and pans pointed toward the back of the stovetop.
When using a gas stove, turn off the flame before stirring, turning or flipping food. Turn it back on when you're finished. If the stove is electric, warn children that it will stay hot, even after it has been turned off.
Don't let anyone but adults put things in an oven or take them out.
Never leave a child alone when cooking or when an electrical appliance is within reach.
Talk to children about precautions in simple, clear terms. Young children need frequent reminders.
Never leave appliance cords hanging from counter tops.
Remember the acronym "PASS:" P--Pull the pin, A--Aim extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames, S--Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright, S--Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extinguishing agent.

Ladders

Slips and falls are the leading cause of deaths in and around the home, killing more than 6,000 people a year. Many more people are disabled in similar mishaps. that number suffer disabling injuries. A major subset of these mishaps involves ladders, which are involved in more than 30,000 injuries per year. Although ladders appear simple, there are rules to follow when using them.

Use the right kind of ladder for your task, and make sure it complies with specifications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and that it is listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Most homeowners need a stepladder and a straight ladder (usually an extension ladder).
Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label attached to the ladder.
Make sure your ladder is tall (or long) enough. For stepladders, obey the "not a step" markings on the top steps and the shelf.
Check over your ladder before you trust it. Looks for damaged rungs, steps, hinges and braces. If damaged, repair it or replace it. Antiques are nice, but not when it comes to ladders.
Make sure you can lock the spreaders on stepladders in place.
Extension ladders should have "safety feet" that stabilize the ladder and keep it from slipping.
Set your ladder on a solid surface and keep it level.
Open stepladders fully.
When using a straight ladder, the base should be one foot away from the vertical surface for every four feet of height (to the point when the top of the ladder will rest).
If you're climbing onto your roof or a platform, make sure the ladder extends above the edge at least three feet.
Never lean a ladder against an unstable surface, such as a tree limb.
Always face the ladder when climbing. Carry tools in a tool belt or a bucket that you can raise and lower with a rope from the ladder.
Make sure your shoes aren't slippery.
You can put non-skid on the rungs of an aluminum ladder.
Hold on with one hand while working on a ladder. Don't reach too far to the sides or behind you.
Don't climb higher than the second step from the top on a stepladder or the third from the top on a straight ladder.
Only one person should be on the ladder at a time.
Tables, boxes, and chairs aren't ladders.
Don't put ladders on barrels, boxes, concrete blocks or other unstable bases

Lightning

Once a bolt of lighting flashes toward the ground, it strikes the tallest object in a predetermined, 50-yard radius. In other words, it won't "look for" a tall tree that is 100 yards away from you.
If a bolt is going to hit near you, don't be the tallest thing within that 50-yard radius.
The only completely safe approach is to avoid being exposed.
Given a choice, get inside a building. Your second choice is a car or truck.
If you are already in an exposed location when a storm hits, your options are limited:
- Stay as low as you can, to avoid being the highest object.
- Squat down, but don't lay flat. You don't want your whole body touching the ground if lightning hits nearby, because the current will spread outward
If you're in the woods, avoid the tallest trees but stay away from clearings that are more than 100 yards across.
You can usually hear thunder 10 miles away, unless the noise of rain and wind interferes. When you see lightning, count the number of seconds until you hear thunder. Sounds travels one mile every five seconds. Most experts recommend 30 seconds (6 miles) as the signal for you to stop what you're doing and get to a safe location.
The typical lightning threat lasts less than an hour.
Wait 30 minutes after you see the last lightning bolt or hear the last thunder before going back to golfing, fishing, or whatever else you were doing outdoors.
Water does not "attract" lightning, but it is a great conductor. Lightning has killed or injured people who were swimming, wading, fishing, boating and surfing. Since ponds and lakes tend to be cooler than nearby land during the summer, thunderstorms are less likely to build or continue to develop over them.
A car protects you from lightning because the lightning will follow its metal structure to the ground. But don't leave the windows down, because the lightning can jump into the car.

Using Portable Generators

Portable generators can be hazardous if used improperly. The hazards are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, and electrocution from connecting the generator to the home electrical wiring system.

To avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning:

Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages.
Only operate the generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed, or carport.

To avoid electrocution:
Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy duty, outdoor rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load.
Observe the generator manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.
Do not plug the generator into a wall outlet.
If connecting the generator into the house wiring is necessary, have a qualified electrician hook up the standby electrical system, or have the local utility install a linking device if available.

Never store gasoline in the home. Gasoline, kerosene and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. They should also not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is in the garage. The vapor from gasoline can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited by pilot lights or arcs caused by activating electric switches. If at all possible, avoid connecting the electrical output of the generator into the house wiring. Instead, connect individual appliances that have their own outdoor rated power cord directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator's electrical outlet via a suitable, outdoor-rated extension cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load. If connecting into the house wiring is necessary on a temporary basis to operate permanently wired equipment, such as a water pump, furnace blower/controls, room lighting, etc., there are important steps that require the utmost care to avoid electrocution. In some locations, the local utility company may offer to install a device at the electric meter socket to permit their customers to connect a portable generator to the household wiring during periods of power outages. If that service is not available or chosen, another method is to have a qualified electrician install a manual transfer switch. A transfer switch permits transfer of the load from the household power source that is normally supplied by the electric utility over to the portable generator. The transfer switch should be certified by UL or other independent test lab for this application, and be mounted within an electrical box. Transfer switches and related accessories designed for connecting a standby system are available from electrical supply stores.

These accessories equipment includes:
cord sets with special locking and recessed connectors,
electrical boxes with controls for the branch circuits that will receive temporary power from the generator, and
feeder cable to connect the existing electrical panel to the transfer switch.

When properly installed, the transfer switch will isolate the circuits supplied by the generator from those normally supplied by the utility. This prevents inadvertently energizing circuits in both systems, and reduces the possibility of electrocution resulting from contact with conductors presumed to be de-energized. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator.

Preparing for Power Outages

Safety Issues

Purchase needed items for your home, office and car including: flashlights, batteries, AM/FM battery powered radio, rechargeable power failure lights, wind up or battery alarm clock, and lightsticks.
Have a 72-hour emergency kit for each family member.
Keep cash and change on hand. In power failures ATMs may not work and you may need to make a phone call at a pay phone.
Phones with answering machines and cordless phones are power dependent. Have at least one phone that does not require power in case you need to call 9-1-1. Keep your cell phone powered up.
Familiarize yourself with your main electrical panel. You may have to turn off the main breaker or have to reset circuit breakers after an outage.
If you use your fireplace for heat, be responsible! Donâ€™t burn wood with paint or stain. Do not leave an open flame. Make sure you close your fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying. Do not store newspapers, kindling, or matches near the fireplace.
If you use candles for lighting, place them on a fire proof surface.
Make sure you have smoke detectors in appropriate rooms. Change the batteries regularly, preferably every 6 months, and test them monthly. If your smoke detectors are wired directly into the electrical system of your home they will not operate during a power failure unless the batteries are working. Special smoke detectors are available for people with hearing impairment.
Have a fire extinguisher and know how to operate it. Have a fire evacuation plan and practice fire drills.
During the power outage, unplug all small appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surge. Leave one low wattage incandescent light on so you know when the power comes back on.
When power comes back on you may have to reset your clocks, VCRs, microwave ovens, programmable thermostats, burglar and fire alarms.

Security Issues
Have a plan for checking on and reuniting family members.
Stay home and be safe during a power outage. Stores and gas stations may be closed. Donâ€™t add to the confusion by driving around.
During an area-wide power outage, traffic signals may be out. If so, remember the intersection becomes a 4-way Stop.
Watch for suspicious activity. Criminals may decide to take advantage of the power outage. Always call 9-1-1 if you notice suspicious activity.

Health Issues
Focus on childrenâ€™s needs. Provide flashlights or light sticks for each child that they can keep by their bed and in their backpacks. Discuss living without electricity and how the outage is usually short term.
Elderly people and people with disabilities who are on power-dependent medical devices should arrange for back â€“up power with their vendors. Power-dependent devices include: medication pumps connected to IV, including pain control, anti-arrhythmia and chemotherapy; dialysis machines; home ventilators; and backup oxygen tanks.
People who are medically dependent on electricity may need portable generators. Safely store fuel only in approved containers, outside, never in garages. Operate generators only outside, ensuring that exhaust will not enter the home through vents or windows. Only use fresh gasoline because old gasoline can ignite. Plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty extension cords. NEVER attach generators to the facility current.
All hospitals are required to have backup power. Medically dependent persons without adequate back-up power can call 911 for transport to a hospital where power can be supplied until the outage is over.
Have a first aid kit in your home, office, and car. Take first aid and CPR training.
Sewer pump stations have limited storage capacity. Limit all water usage, and avoid flushing your toilet during a power outage.
Be a good neighbor and check on any neighbors with special needs: elderly people, people with disabilities, and children who are home alone during a power outage. They may need your help.

Relocatable Power Taps (RPTs)

Also known as "power strips," "strip plugs," and "surge suppressors," these devices were developed as a way to plug in numerous computer peripherals (monitor, printer, scanner, modem). A typical array of these devices doesn't require a great deal of power (3-5 amps, 300-600 watts). However, many people make two major mistakes: they try to use RPTs as extension cords, or they plug in high-voltage devices to them, such as refrigerators, coffee pots, space heaters, microwave ovens and toasters.

Connect an RPT only to a permanent receptacle.
Do not connect RPTs in series or to an extension cord.
Use them only for their intended use, which should be listed on the instruction manual.
Avoid damage.
Keep them dry.
Don't plug in heavy appliances.
Don't use them outdoors or an construction sites.
Don't permanently secure them to structures, tables, work benches or walls.
Don't route them through walls, windows, ceilings or floors.
Don't use them as a substitute for permanent wiring.

Smoke Alarms

In the years since battery-powered smoke alarms hit the market in the 1970s, an estimated 94% of American homes have at least one of the devices. Most states have passed laws requiring them in houses and apartments, and most hotels have installed them in guest rooms, as well. According to the NFPA, half of the people who die in home fires were in the 6% of the homes that lack smoke alarms. In about thirty percent of the fires in homes that have smoke alarms, the devices did not work--usually because the batteries are dead, missing or not connected. To be fully prepared when your smoke alarm starts to shriek, you must have a plan for escaping the fire. Your family should know the plan, and you should have all practiced it. You should have at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement). Experts recommend an alarm outside each bedroom, as well. Because smoke rises, mount your alarm near the top of the wall (about a foot from the ceiling) or on the ceiling (at least four inches from the nearest wall). Don't put a smoke alarm near windows, doors or forced-air outlets. Drafts can make smoke alarms less effective. If you are hard of hearing, you can buy smoke alarms with extra-loud alarms and strobe lights. If you install hard-wired alarms rather than battery-powered ones, have an electrician do the job. Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Change the batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a year, even if they aren't chirping at you to warn you that the battery is getting low. Don't borrow the batteries out of your smoke alarms. If smoke from a kitchen or steam from a shower is setting off an alarm, try moving the alarm to a new location.

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms pose many hazards. They produce lightning and hail. Their torrential rains can trigger floods; their strong winds can create deadly tornadoes. You have to worry about them when they get to be "severe," which the National Weather Service defines as having winds of more than 57 mph and/or hail about the size of a marble. About 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the U.S. each year; 10 percent become severe. Every state has thunderstorms.

When its your turn, stay tuned to the latest weather forecasts, and listen for watches and warnings for tornadoes and floods.
If the weather service issues a watch:
- Tie down lawn chairs, picnic tables and trash cans, or bring them inside.
- Park you car under an awning or inside a garage.
- Close windows and draw the blinds or curtains. This precaution will lessen the hazard of flying glass if a window gets broken.
Listen to radio or television for warnings.
Just before and during the storm, count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, then the lightning is a threat. Seek shelter. After seeing the last lightning flash, wait 30 minutes before leaving shelter. More than half of the people killed by lightning died after the storm passed.

Underground Utilities

Whether you're a contractor working on a site or a homeowner working around your own home, digging can be dangerous if you don't check first for underground wiring or cables.
There can also be other underground utilities such as natural gas, water or sewer lines.
Most cities and large utility companies offer a free service that helps make the excavating process safe: a single phone number for the public to call to notify utilities with buried facilities that may be affected by the excavation project.
The goal of this service is to prevent personal injury, property damage, and damage to buried services during an excavation project.
Anyone who will be doing any digging--from planting a tree, to building a fence, to digging a foundation-should call first.