Follow these electrical safety tips to help keep your home and workplace fire-safe.

Appliances

• Always plug major appliances, like refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, directly into a wall outlet.
• Never use an extension cord with a major appliance — it can easily overheat and start a fire.
• Always plug small appliances directly into a wall outlet.
• Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
• Keep lamps, light fixtures and light bulbs away from anything that can burn.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
• Check electrical cords on appliances often. Replace cracked, damaged and loose electrical cords. Do not try to repair them.

Outlets

• Do not overload wall outlets.
• Insert plugs fully into sockets.
• Never force a three-prong cord into a two-slot outlet.
• Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children.

Extension Cords, Power Strips, and Surge Protectors

• Replace worn, old or damaged extension cords right away.
• Use extension cords for temporary purposes only.
• Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.
• Do not overload power strips.
• Use power strips that have internal overload protection.
• Use only a single extension cord or power strip between the wall outlet and the electrical device.
  • Never plug extension cords or power strips into other extension cords or power strips.

Make sure all electrical work is done by a qualified electrician!