SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
W
hen the weather gets hot, we head outdoors for sun and fun. Keep in mind the following tips from the Electri-
cal Safety Foundation International to make sure everyone has a safe summer.
Water and electricity don’t mix
Summer is the season for swimming and boating, and awareness of electrical hazards around water can prevent deaths and injuries. Water and electricity don’t mix. • Sailboats often have masts of 30 feet or more, which are dangerous when they come into contact with overhead power lines. Look up as you get close to shore, and stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. Coming into contact with an energized power line causes serious and sometimes lethal electric shock. • Use covers on outdoor power outlets, especially near swimming pools. Keep cords and electrical devices away from the water, and never handle electrical items before you’ve dried off. • Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help
prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries. These devices interrupt the fl ow of power when they sense a surge. Portable GFCIs require no tools to install and are available at prices ranging from $12 to $30.
Lightning and storms Lightning strikes are fatal in 10 percent of victims, and
70 percent suffer serious long-term effects, according to the National Weather Service. Because lightning can travel side- ways for up to 10 miles, blue skies are not a sign of safety. If
Lights Out!
you hear thunder, take cover. • If weather conditions indicate a storm, stay inside- away from doors and windows-or seek shelter in a low- lying area away from trees and any metal, including sheds, clotheslines, poles, and fences. If you’re near water, stay as far away as possible. • If you’re in a group, spread out-don’t stand close
together. • Indoors, unplug electronics before the storm arrives,
and don’t use corded phones. • Avoid plumbing (sinks, bathtubs, faucets). • Don’t forget about your pets. Doghouses are not safe from lightning, and chained animals are easy targets. • If your home is fl ooded during a storm, don’t turn on
appliances or electronics until given the okay by an electri- cian. If there’s laying water, don’t go inside. The water could be energized.
Working with large appliances If your air conditioner goes out, keep a few things in mind before you start poking around. Large appliances, such as air conditioners, are responsible for almost 20 percent of consumer-product electrocutions each year. • Understand your electrical system-know which fuse or circuit breaker controls each switch, light, and outlet. • Make sure circuits are turned off before starting work
and take measures to ensure they’re not turned back on while working. • Use a circuit tester and always test before you touch. Find more safety tips at esfi .org.
If you can’t train your kids to turn out lights when they leave a room or need a better outdoor lighting scheme, automatic controls might be a cost-effective solution.
The most important thing for lighting control is to use a type of lightbulb that doesn’t need to “warm up”. All lightbulbs for residential now on the market will work - incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs.
Controls useful indoors include occupancy sensors if positioned to detect people in all corners of the room, timers unless kids are running in and out in which case occupancy sensors are more effective, and photosensors which are useful for LED nightlights.
For outdoors, photosensors keep lights from burning all day and can be combined with a motion sensor if you don’t want continuous light at night. Use this energy saving advice to turn lights out when not needed.
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