As part of the annual National Electrical Safety Month in May, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is offering tips on electrical safety for all those now working from home. Recommended safety tips to help keep you and your home safe from electrical hazards include:
- Avoid overloading outlets
- Regularly inspect electrical cords and extension cords for damage
- Never plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip
- Never run cords under rugs, doors or windows and make sure cords do not become tripping hazards
- Keep papers and other potential combustibles at least three feet away from space heaters and other heat sources
- Make sure you use proper wattage for lamps and lighting
- Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Test them monthly, change batteries yearly and replace units every 10 years
Visit the ESFI website to learn more and download the Electrical Safety While Working from Home poster.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) conducts its annual National Electrical Safety Month campaign each May to promote steps that can be taken to reduce the number of electrically-related fires, fatalities, injuries and property loss. ESFI’s 2020 campaign features a comprehensive collection of new and updated resources to help facilitate an effective electrical safety awareness campaign for your community, organization, school or family. Learn More