Electrical Safety
Indoor Electrical Safety
Electricity, if not properly used, can seriously hurt or even kill you, so.....
- Do not pull plugs out of the wall outlets by pulling on the cord. Use the fingergrips on the plug.
- Unplug power tools and small appliances when they are not in use (This saves electricity, too!)
- Do not use an electrical tool or appliance where it can fall in the water.
- Do not put ANYTHING except a plug or safety cover into a wall outlet
- If you are using a power tool or appliance and it breaks, turn it OFF, unplug it, and get help from an adult. Only a qualified person should repair electrical items.
- Don't play your electric guitar standing in a puddle!
Outdoor Electrical Safety
- Stay away from power substations
- Don't go near electric power lines - especially if they are broken and lying on the ground (and tell an adult if you see it)
- Keep things that plug into electrical sockets away from anything that's wet.
- If there is lightning, go inside a building and stay away from windows.
- That includes - getting out of a swimming pool or lake, off the playing field during a baseball game, etc.
- Do NOT take shelter under a tree or in an open area.
- If you can't get inside, go inside a car and roll up the windows
- If you can't go inside a car or a house, stay away from tall trees and, contrary to common beliefs, DO NOT lie flat in an open field - try not to be the highest object. To do this, crouch down as low as possible. You want to be low, but since a lightning strike can travel through the ground (see image of lawn below), you want to minimize contact with the ground by staying on your feet.
To learn more about electrical safety, click here.