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May is National Electrical Safety Month. Yes, It’s That Important.

The occasion of National Electrical Safety Month began in 1970. Today, momentum continues to grow as the need becomes ever greater for added electrical safety.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that 47,700 home structure fires each year are caused by home electrical failure or malfunction. These fires result in 1,570 civilian injuries and $1.4 billion in property damage each year. Loss of life is another recurring and preventable outcome.

So, what’s a careful homeowner to do?  Here are several important safety tips to you’ll want to put into practice.

Plugs & Cords

  1. Don’t run extension cords under rugs or carpeting.

  1. Only use extension cords approved for the environment and loads expected.

  1. Use extension cords only on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring.

  1. Discard damaged extension cords; don’t try to repair them.

  1. Use only surge protected power strips. Inspect the power strips regularly for damage or signs of overloading.

Appliances

  1. Examine tools and appliances for overheating, sparking, or shorting out. Replace the cord or appliance itself if necessary.

  1. Keep electrical appliances away from wet countertops and floors.

  1. Keep all combustible materials away from electrical equipment.

More Safety Tips

  1. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of a stove-top or oven fire.

  1. Don’t plug more than one appliance into the same plug or circuit. That can overload the outlet, wiring, and circuit breaker.

  1. Replace standard outdoor outlets with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. Do the same indoors wherever water and electricity can meet.

  1. Cords and plugs that show signs of wear or damage need to be replaced. Don’t try to repair them.

At GBT Heating & Air Conditioning, your comfort and safety remain tops on our list of priorities. That’s why, for example, when we perform preventive maintenance on your AC system, we check on and tighten all electrical connections to help prevent an electrical fire. That’s just one of numerous reasons to have your heating and cooling systems faithfully maintained. Has it been a year or longer since your AC system or furnace was last cleaned and inspected? If so, the time to schedule service is now.

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