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■ play it safe


Do-It-Yourself


Electrical Safety Read this before you undertake home repairs


BY GUY DALE COORDINATOR OF SAFETY & LOSS CONTROL


T


he economy, saving for retirement and the need to get’er done are all sound reasons for co-op members to tackle do-it-yourself projects. When it comes to electrical work, though, it might be a better idea to hire a licensed electrician.


The problem is most of us don’t have the training or experience needed to safely perform electrical repairs, which increases the risk of injury and electrocution. and potentially introduces new dangers. Working with electricity requires thorough planning and extreme care—cutting corners can be a costly mistake.


For example, electrical outlets cause nearly 4,000 injuries every year, while more than 19,700 people are hurt by ceiling fans that aren’t mounted properly or are incorrectly sized.


The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) strongly recommends hiring a qualified, licensed electrician to perform electrical work in your home.


If you insist on doing it yourself, and I know some of you will, please consider the following safety tips:


• Before you begin, make an effort to learn about your home electrical system so that you can safely navigate and maintain it.


• Never attempt a project that is beyond your skill level. Knowing your limits and when it’s time to call a professional, might save your life.


• Always turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work on by switching off the circuit breaker in the main service panel.


• Be sure to unplug lamps or appliances before working on them.


• Test wires before you touch them to make sure that the power has been turned off.


• Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when


performing a do-it-yourself electrical project.


I know it seems easy to install a fan or make some other simple electrical repair, but if you’re unsure about what your’re doing it’s almost certainly a mistake. It could also be a costly one.


For more tips on safety around your home electrical wiring , visit www.esfi.org.■


Guy Dale oversees safety programs for Choctaw Electric Cooperative. He also teaches electrical safety classes and CPR courses for the public. To schedule a class, please call him at 800-780-6486, ext. 227.


Lucky Account # 38845569. $25 BILL CREDIT! If this number matches the account number on your bill, you must notify CEC by the 10th of month (via email, phone, or in person) to claim the $25 bill credit. (Unclaimed credits roll over to the next month; up to a $100 bill credit.) Please call 800- 780-6486, ext. 207.


12 | august 2013


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