Don t Get Zapped by These Electrical Risks Inside and Outside the Home
Don t Get Zapped by These Electrical Risks Inside and Outside the Home
Most of us don t really expect to suffer a serious electrical shock at home, but it s important to be aware of electrical hazards both indoors and outside.
Wendy Helfenbaum, provided by
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Pretty much everyone over the age of 5 knows never to stick their fingers in an outlet or poke a fork into a toaster, but beyond that, most of us don t really expect to suffer a serious electrical shock at home. But there s no doubt those risks exist, and it s important to be aware of electrical hazards both indoors and outside.
Energy Adviser: Take steps to prevent electrical fires By Clark Public Utilities
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Electricity is so central in our lives that it’s easy to forget just how dangerous it can be.
Every year, about 51,000 home fires are caused by electrical issues, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Nearly a third of those fires occur between November and February, reports the National Fire Protection Association.
Electrical fires might be one of the greatest threats facing the average house. Modern home designs and construction materials, which have increased comfort and efficiency, have also greatly reduced the amount of time a person has to safely escape a house fire. According to Underwriters Laboratories, a person had up to 17 minutes to escape a house fire 30 years ago; today they have three minutes or less.
The Grand Junction Fire Department and Grand Valley Power are partnering up to warn homeowners and renters of the importance of home electronics safety as heating and electrical fires are more common now than at any other point in the year.
GJFD spokesperson Ellis Thompson-Ellis said during this time home fires tend to be related to heating and electrical wiring.
There were 56 home fire deaths reported across the US from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9 this year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Thompson said that most of the fires are still under investigation but the ones fire officials do know about were related to heating.
From Reno Fire on importance on keeping bedroom doors closed.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Time is of the essence when fire hits your home. Things can rapidly change from smoke to flames, sometimes giving those inside very little time to get outside to safety.
Even though smoke detectors have been required in new construction and in homes undergoing a remodel for decades, not all homes have working detectors. They are broken, have a dead battery, or missing completely.
Batteries in smoke detectors that require them should be changed twice a year. A good time to remember to check your smoke alarm and change the batteries is when you change your clocks twice a year as daylight savings time begins and ends.