While electricity is an essential part of our lives, there are very real risks and hazards associated with its use. Each year, thousands of people in the U.S. are critically injured or electrocuted as a result of electrical fires and accidents in the home.* Take the time to brush up on electrical safety practices to reduce your exposure to electrical hazards.

Common Electrical Problems

If you spot any of the electrical problems listed below in your home, speak with a professional electrician or your landlord right away to resolve the issue. The faster you can identify potential electrical problems, the less likely they will progress into a significant threat. 

• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Mild shock or tingle from touching appliances, receptacles or switches
• Discolored or warm wall plates
• Cracking, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles
• Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Sparks from an outlet

Electrical Fires

If an electrical fire does occur, call 9-1-1 right away. If you must attempt to put out an electrical fire, be sure to use a fire extinguisher that has a Class C rating. If you don’t have one, you can try using baking soda, but never try to put out an electrical fire with water. If the fire is large, try to turn off the main power source if you can safely do so, evacuate your home right away, and call 9-1-1.

Fire Engineer Elena Licari shares information on how to correctly and safely use electrical outlets and power strips in the home.

Outlet Safety Tips

• Never overload outlets.
• Never force a three-prong plug into a two-slot outlet. Don’t use an adapter to get an extension cord with a three-prong plug into a two-prong outlet.
  
• Child proof your outlets. If you have young children, have tamper-resistant electrical outlets installed or tamper-resistant safety caps inserted into all unused electrical outlets.
• Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard. GFCIs should be installed in potentially hazardous areas such as near pools, crawl spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, and all outdoor outlets.
• Install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). An AFCI is designed to detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults to help reduce your electrical system from being an ignition source of a fire. While homes built after 1999 are required to have AFCIs, older homes may not have them.
• Test AFCIs and GFCIs at least once per month.

Extension Cord & Power Strip Safety Tips

• Never overload extension cords or power strips. Be sure the wire is the proper size to handle the average electrical load of your devices.
• Use power strips that have built-in overload protection.
• Replace worn or damaged cords right away. Don't try to repair a cord yourself (e.g., electrical tape). For information on how to properly dispose of electrical cords, visit www.SanJoseRecycles.org.
• Only use extension cords for temporary power. If you need a long-term power source, contact a qualified electrician to discuss what your options are.
  
• Tidy up loose cords. Put them out of reach to avoid children tugging on them.
• Don’t plug extension cords or power strips into one another. Also, don’t combine (daisy chain) extension cords or power strips.
• Never cover cords with carpet or furniture. This can trap heat and create a fire hazard. If you need to cover a cord, many hardware stores sell specially designed 'cord covers.' 
• Outdoor extension cords should be rated for outdoor use. Keep outdoor extension cords clear of standing water.
• Never nail or staple electrical cords. This could puncture the insulation and create a shock or fire hazard.
• No extension cord can stand rough usage. If you kink it, knot it, or crush it and even bend it, you can break the insulation. Don’t force them into small spaces such as behind furniture or under doors.

Appliance Safety Tips

• Always plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord with a major appliance such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers.
• Unplug small appliances when you’re not using them.
• Don't use an appliance with a damaged or loose cord. Have the appliance replaced or serviced by a qualified electrician. 
• Unplug appliances before cleaning them. For example, always unplug your toaster when removing a piece of stuck food.
• Give your appliances proper space for air circulation. Without proper air circulation, electrical equipment can overheat and short out.
• Store flammable objects well away from all appliances and electronics. Pay especially close attention to your gas or electric dryer, as these need to be situated at least a foot from the wall to function safely.
• Water and electricity don't mix. Do not operate electric appliances such as radios or hair dryers near a bathtub or sink full of water.

Lighting Safety Tips

• Only use light bulbs at or below the maximum wattage listed on your lamp or light. There is usually a sticker on the appliance indicating max wattage. Using a higher wattage bulb can cause the fixture to overheat.
• Always place lamps on a flat, level surface.
• Use LEDs. They are a safer alternative to traditional light bulbs. Consider switching to more efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs that provide the same level of light at a lower wattage level.
• Always screw bulbs in tightly. A loose bulb can cause sparks or shorts.
• Unplug or turn off a fixture completely before changing light bulbs.
• Keep anything that can burn, such as curtains and furniture, away from lamps, light fixtures, light bulbs, and any appliance that produces heat.

*According to the National Fire Prevention Association, in 2014-2018, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in roughly 34,000 (10%) reported home structure fires per year. These incidents caused an average of 470 (18%) civilian deaths, 1,100 civilian injuries (10%), and $1.4 billion (19%) in direct property damage annually. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment ranked first in direct property damage, and third among the major fire causes in the number of home fires, fourth in home fire deaths, and tied for third in home fire injuries.