A weblog about safety from electrical device hazards

To familiarize small children with the dark, parents and caregivers often resort to lamps and nightlights — hardly ever realizing that these equipments are not toys, and can pose some serious safety hazards for their little ones.

A vast majority of such equipments is manufactured and sold with toy-like appearance and adorn cartoon characters and designs.

Beyond doubt, children are attracted towards these lights, and unknowingly, may assume them as toys. In an attempt to disseminate knowledge about the safety hazards, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi) have took upon them to caution parents and caregivers about the improper usage of such lights. The message ESFi wants to convey is that portable lamps and nightlights are not toys for children.

Small children should never be allowed to play with such equipments, which can cause injuries, such as electric shock, burns, and even death - not to forget about the property damage.

In order to avoid electrical accidents, ESFI has come up with these easy-to-follow safety tips:

• Only adults must operate electrical lamps and/or other electrical equipments. Older children must be allowed to operate such devices under supervision. However, under no case, should small children be allowed to operate portable lamps or nightlights.
• Never allow children to plug in or unplug portable lamps or nightlights. Educate children about the safety hazards, and remind them to ask for help from an adult.
• If you are a parent, ensure that a proper wattage bulb is employed in lights.
• While using nightlights, check whether the plug blades are correctly inserted into the receptacle.
• For reducing the risk of electrical shocks and burns, take extra care while handling nightlights. Avoid applying pressure or twisting, which may result in broken components and exposed wiring.
• Before purchasing nightlights or lamps, ensure that these equipments are certified by a recognized independent testing lab, such as UL, CSA, or ETL.

Inculcating safe electrical principles from childhood can go a long way in creating awareness about electrical safety habits.

Tags: Challenge, children, lamps, nightlights, Parents, safety hazards
Posted in Indoor Electrical Hazards| No Comments »

Strong hurricanes are known to cause extensive damage to both life and property. Hurricanes are associated with strong winds and precipitation, resulting in uprooted trees, damaged houses, downed power lines, and flooded surrounding. While the cyclone itself causes destruction, many accidents occur due to unavoidable circumstances that take place after the cyclone has struck, such as electrical wires coming in contact with water and improper handling of electrical appliances during a storm. That’s why Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi) advises precaution and care during hurricanes and floods.

In flooded areas, when the rising water levels submerge power outlets and electric wires, the water turns into a potent web of electric current from which there is no escape. Tread with caution when you step into a submerged area.

In addition to posing threat to life, flooding can also cause expensive damages to electrical equipment, such as furnaces, freezers, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers. Water may seep into the electrical equipment and corrode the motor and other metallic parts. Appliances made wet by flood water, particularly sea water, are best replaced with newer devices. Even if the submerged electric appliances are reconditioned, their life expectancy is shortened.

With power outages on the rise, portable electric generators are gaining currency. People seldom understand the importance of properly installing a generator at home. A reputed electrician knows that a portable electric generator should only be inducted into the electric circuit through a transfer switch. If a generator is directly connected to household wiring, fatal accidents are lurking in the corner. The generator backfeeds onto the power lines and the backfeed is amplified to offensive voltage levels by utility transformers, making the line fatal as well as inviting damages on the equipment.

Other than that, the generator should be dry and properly grounded. Make sure that the extension cords used to plug your electrical appliances to the generator are properly rated, not frayed, and have three-pin plugs. Avoid overloading and be sure to insert the appliances directly into the generator. Also, remember that well-ventilated rooms or open spaces are suitable for operating a generator, since it produces obnoxious and often suffocating levels of carbon dioxide.

Inexpensive, stand-alone ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) serve a great deal in preventing accidental electrocutions and electrical shock injuries.

Another big threat to life comes from downed power lines. The downed power lines carry strong electric current capable of injuring and sometimes killing people who come in contact with them. A material that comes in contact with the downed power line instantly becomes a death trap. Water and human body are good conductors of electricity. As much as possible, you should stay away from downed lines and anything that is in its vice grip. If at all, you must move away from the vicinity of a downed power line, drag your feet along the floor all the time taking small steps and bringing the feet together again.

Electricity has the tendency to race into a low-voltage object through a conductor, such as the human body. For this reason, you should avoid pulling out a victim, who has accidentally touched an electric wire. The current can easily drag you into the mayhem. The best thing to do is call for help (call 911). Don’t even try to drag away a downed power line using a wet stick or damp wood. That can be fatal.

Don’t put your feet in water to check whether it is carrying electric current — in case you see a downed line.

If a downed line is in contact with your car, stay indoors and warn the others to stay away. You may need to perform acrobatics to escape from the clutches of accidental fire that has broken out after your car came in contact with the downed wire. The intention is to avoid becoming a passage for electricity from the car into the earth through your body. So jump out and make sure your body doesn’t touch the ground while it is in touch with the car.

Tags: electric wires, Electrical Safety, Electrical Safety Foundation International, ESFi, flooded, floods, hurricanes, power outlets, Storms, submerge
Posted in Common Electrical Hazards| No Comments »

Recent studies have confirmed the growing ignorance of commoners towards home electrical safety check. In an attempt to disseminate knowledge about the importance of electrical systems, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi) has taken special initiatives to make consumers aware about the regular maintenance of electrical systems. The foundation urges everyone to make periodic inspection of electrical cords, plugs, and outlets on a yearly basis — to stay clear of any potential electrocution risks.

Listed below are the root causes of home electrical wiring problems, identified by ESFi. However, this list is not all-inclusive.

• Dimming or flickering household lights
• Electrical system making buzzing noise
• Frequent blowing of fuses
• Noted flashes of bright light anywhere in the electrical system
• Shrinking size of TV picture
• Tampered wire insulation

The aforementioned factors account for two-third of reported cases of electrical fires and electrocution in the United States alone.

As preventive measures, the ESFi recommends the following actions:

• Discard any torn or damaged electrical cords, and replace them with new ones. Use three-prong power cord for enhanced electrical security.
• Ensure that the electrical plugs are perfectly fitted to their respective outlets. Loose fitting might lead to fire breakouts.
• Three-prong plugs should never be forced into two-slot outlets. A plug mismatch can invite danger for you.
• Check circuits and extension cords for overloads. Do not employ extension cords to extend the wiring system of your home, for the risk of unnecessary and risky overloading.
• Outlets must be changed on a regular basis. After replacing an old outlet, check the faceplate temperature of the new outlet. In case it feels too hot or warm on a single touch, a potential wiring hazard might be on the cards. Get in touch with a trained electrician for an urgent review.
• Look out for switch plates and any change in its colors. Discoloration can mean overheating of the plates.
• Disconnect power from fuse box or circuit breaker panel before starting work on your existing electrical system.

Finally, it is recommended that you hire certified and trained electricians for safety checks and repairs of your electrical systems.

Tags: Dimming, Electrical Safety Foundation International, Electrical system, ESFi, flickering, Home Electrical Safety Check, household lights
Posted in Indoor Electrical Hazards| No Comments »

Selling Consumer Goods with Defects: CPSC Shows the Door to Retailers

Analyze this. You buy a new toy for your little one, not realizing that the seemingly harmless toy can pose a safety threat like fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. Scary, isn’t it? Consumer products such as toys, cribs, cigarette lighters, power tools, and household chemicals, are often the cause of deaths, injuries, and property damage worth more than $700 billion annually in the United States alone.

The good news, however, is that as a consumer, you can report such cases of negligence against the manufacturer of defected/ counterfeited products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Winning cases against defective products passes the message strongly that manufacturers and retailers cannot just do away by making and selling products with harmful defects.

A couple of years ago, the CPSC passed its judgment against Family Dollar Inc. for not reporting defects with electric blankets. In a public announcement dated July 13, 2006, the CPSC announced that the retailer, Family Dollar Inc., of Matthews, N.C., has accepted responsibility for not abiding to the civil consumer safety rules, and has also agreed to pay a sum of U.S. $100,000 towards civil penalty.

Accepting the penalty on provision, the Chairman of Commission, Hal Stratton, stated that this penalty should be exemplary for retailers and manufacturers, who need to be more aware of their liabilities while dealing with consumer goods.

Within a short period of three months — from November 2003 to February 2004 — Family Dollar Inc. had sold a whooping 9,000 electric blankets with overheating defect. Although the company received as high as 40 reports of malfunctioning of the electric blankets — including smoke damage, fire, and nine injuries resulting from skin burns — it did not pay any heed to the complaints or grievances from the consumers.

The company, eventually, put a stop to its sale of electric blankets in February 2004, without reporting about the defects to the commission. However, CPSC decided to penalize the company for not meeting its reporting obligations on time. Manufactured by Bilt-Safe Technologies Inc., of Erwin, Tenn, better known as International Home Fashions Inc., the defects in the electric blankets could have resulted in serious damages in the long run if the commission hadn’t chipped in at the right moment.

The CPSC has attributed towards the safety of consumer products, resulting in 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products in the past 30 years.

To report a harmful product or a product-related injury, feel free to call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. You are also encouraged to visit CPSC’s web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.

To join a CPSC email subscription list, refer to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp.

Finally, you can visit CPSC’s website at www.cpsc.gov.

Tags: Consumer, CPSC, Defects, Electric Blankets, Retailers
Posted in Indoor Electrical Hazards| No Comments »

Every year several outdoor electrical accidents are reported across the world — resulting from improper installation or usage of electrical devices. Sometimes, these accidents occur due to unavailability of a device instruction manual or lack of proper guidelines from a licensed manufacturer of the device.

Here are some guidelines that must be adhered to avoid such hazards while using electrical products outdoors:

• Pay attention to abandoned electrical products, products that are no longer in use, and open plugs or switches. Using a damaged or a faulty product can result in an electrical shock.
• Read the device instruction manual carefully — even before you start using the device — to determine the right method for product storage. Placement of indoor appliances outdoors and vice versa, can result in electrical hazards.
• Ensure that all indoor and outdoor water areas or outlets are covered, and are at bay from any electrical wiring. Try using a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), since such safety devices help to immediately de-energize any electrical current that passes through the device. If you find yourself in a situation of contact between water and your electrical device, the GFCI serves as a lifesaver. You’ll only feel a minor shock before the GFCI cuts the power off.
• Try to replace severely damaged appliances with new certified ones, or get the damaged products repaired from a certified electrician before using them.
• Do not use an electrical cord with a product that does not match its electricity power consumption. An overload on a circuit may cause a trip, an outburst, or a power failure to occur.
• Keep all line cords far from water or humid areas, like sinks, pools, and tubs.
• Some products are bundled with special instructions, such as ‘for indoor use only’ or ‘protect from direct sunlight’. In such instances, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and place or protect appliances as mentioned (particularly for weather protection of appliances.)
• Before conducting any type of construction outdoors, try locating any hidden or underground power lines while digging or drilling in the ground. Also, locate any overhead power lines that may be present while chopping or trimming tall trees, painting roof tops, or climbing walls. To locate such power lines, call your regional utility protection center.
• While repairing electrical products, follow the instruction manual carefully. Look for sections that detail the use of safety aides, goggles, and other preventive measures when exposed.
• Look for any electrical equipment, circuit box, or door, that has been left opened or unattended. Contact your local utility department at the earliest.
• Ensure that all gasoline pipes and lines are well protected, as a leak might result in a major fire or explosion.
• Under all circumstances, never cross a minor or a major circuit outburst on the road, never remove or disable the third prong, and dispose all plugs, electrical appliances, and cords with damaged prongs.

Tags: electrical products, guidelines, improper installation, outdoor electrical accidents, usage of electrical devices
Posted in Outdoor Electrical Hazards| No Comments »

Most of us would agree that electricity, considered as the lifeline of any office, can also prove to be fatal in case of improper maintenance or usage of electrical equipments in an office. Some of the most familiar electrical hazards encountered in an office include electrical fires, overloaded circuits, shocks, burns, and power shortages. Most of these accidents can be easily avoided by some planning and by taking adequate preventive measures.

Usually, electrical accidents occur as a direct corollary of faulty or defective equipments, unsafe installations, or mishandling of equipments by the workers. It is, therefore, important to identify the potential electrical dangers that can occur in an office, such as overloaded circuits, improper earthing, unguarded live wires, loose wiring, power surges, blackouts, defective cables, and use of non-standard equipment.

In order to become aware of the potential and existing hazards in an office environment, follow a three-step approach.

1. Assess the potential areas of risk
2. Reduce the risks using remedial and preventive measures
3. Review and revise the assessment at regular intervals

The potential areas of risk include:

• Cramped spaces and wires, leading to shock
• Wet areas, leading to live wires
• Out-of-doors equipment that poses a greater risk of damage

Once the risk assessment is complete, take steps to reduce unacceptable risks in the office arising from electrical equipments. Following are some tips to achieve this:

Perform Safe Electrical Installations

• Maintain on hand electrical installations adequately
• Maintain safe working conditions of new and existing installations
• Avoid overloading of plug points, sockets, and circuits
• Avoid plugging grounded three-slot cords into ungrounded two-slot outlets
• Avoid tripping hazards by keeping cords close to a wall
• Avoid live wires and always use concealed wiring

Use Appropriate Equipment

• Maintain equipments in good working condition
• Ensure that the equipments function in a given environment
• Avoid using damaged cables, and do not run power cords under rugs where chairs can roll over them
• Avoid knotting the cables and wires, and use proper connectors to join cables
• Maintain combustibles safely

Use Low Voltage

• Use equipments on the lowest voltage possible to get a job done
• Reduce power surges

Use a Safety Device

• Use a safety device, for instance, a residual current device (RCD) to uncover faults. Such devices help in detecting faults in an electrical system, and will rapidly switch off the supply of power in such a situation.

Perform Preventive Maintenance

• Look for any obvious faults or damages, and take immediate action
• Scrutinize equipments appropriately to avoid any catastrophes
• Check the earthing
• Conduct frequent inspection and testing of equipments

Ensure Other Safety Measures

• Turn off the switches and unplug any insignificant electrical devices while not in use
• Make sure that switches are within reach to cut off power during fluctuations
• Have sufficient back up in case of fluctuations
• Be prompt in disconnecting and replacing broken, frayed, or worn out cables and cords, and in fixing loose fitting plugs
• Immediately disconnect an appliance if it emits any unpleasant odor
• Charge battery-operated devices separately
• Use standardized equipments purchased from a reputable retailer, since low-quality or counterfeit power strips contain wiring that may not withstand the load
• Place power strips in areas having adequate air circulation to disperse heat
• Carry out repairs only by qualified personnel
• Make sure only adept persons work with the equipments
• Conduct electrical inspections only by licensed electricians
• Follow an instruction manual in case of doubts while operating devices

A frequent review of the above-mentioned assessments will help in being up-to-date about the electrical conditions in an office environment. After all, the underlying fact remains that it is extremely important to keep an office safe from electrical hazards.

Tags: burns, defective cables, electrical fires, Electrical Hazards, improper earthing, loose wiring, office, overloaded circuits, power shortages, power surges, Safe, shocks, unguarded live wires
Posted in Electrical Safety in the Workplace| No Comments »

When lightning bolts with its fireworks in the distant sky, it’s a beautiful sight to watch. But when the ghastly natural phenomenon occurs in the neighborhood spreading shock waves for miles around and releasing temperature that is hotter than what is recorded on the surface of the sun, then lightning suddenly takes on demonic proportions. Because there is precious little we can do to control the occurrence of lightning, the next best thing is to protect ourselves and our property from destruction.

The United States alone reports over 20 million lightning bolts every year taking the dubious distinction of causing more deaths than tornadoes or hurricanes. Most victims are people who are either ignorant about the precautionary steps or are simply indifferent towards adopting lightning safety guidelines. Most of us think that lightning only occurs when the cloud turns black and the sky threatens to burst open. On the contrary, clear blue skies do not mean that you are safe outdoors. Lightning may not be much visible when the sky is clear but thunder is a sure sign of things to come. The moment you see lightning or hear thunder bolt, scurry for cover. And not just any cover. Your shelter from lightning should have the necessary shield from lightning storm because the potent shockwaves beaming out in all directions can spread as far as 10 miles wide.

The topmost floor of the tallest building in town is the last place you should be during lightning because lightning hits the highest object from the earth’s surface first. Move away to a low lying area and stay in secured shelters. Trees are also known to attract lightning. Never take shelter under trees when it begins to rain heavily and thunder bolts.

Metallic objects such as bats, golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets, and machine tool kits are known to conduct lightning currents. In addition to avoiding these, stay away from clotheslines, poles, and fences during lightning.

During thunder storms, avoid peeping out of doors and windows, and refrain from taking bath or coming in contact with sinks, baths, and faucets.

Our body also has its own way of warning us of impending lightning strikes by producing a tingling sensation. Sometimes the hair tends to stand on its ends. These are sure signs of lightning provoking you to take action. Water bodies are other dangerous conductors of lightning. Stay away from pools, lakes, puddles, and wet grass.

Reports indicate that when lightning strikes, 10% of the victims don’t survive. Another 70% are known to suffer in varying degrees in different forms, and for long periods of time. If you are in groups or in a crowd, try to spread out. Timely action, including CPR and other first aid as necessary, is critical to save victims from losing their lives.

If you must make an emergency call, avoid using wired telephone lines. Pay attention to storm warnings and remove electric appliances from the mains. Don’t touch electrical appliances and their cords during lightning.

Finally, take care of your pets as you would take care of yourself. Remember that dogs chained in doghouses or kennels are vulnerable to lightning strikes.

Tags: cloud, fireworks, lightning, outdoors, storm, strikes, warnings
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It is a common and accepted belief that an office facilitates for a safe work environment. However, the number of accidents and health problems caused at the workplace defies this myth and poses as latent hazards that threaten the safety of several workers.

Today’s setup depicts that nearly one-third of the entire work population sits in the office — for most part of the day. Coupled with this and the technologically advanced and automated offices, work-related accidents and mishaps have begun to sprung up.

Some of the familiar hazards encountered in an office include:

• Mechanical hazards - open cupboards and heavy filing cabinets
• Electrical hazards - electrical fires, overloaded circuits, shocks, power fluctuations, and shortages
• Physical hazards - unsuitable and uncomfortable furniture, prolonged exposure to computer screens, which further manifests as fatigue, eye strain, physical stress, and so on
• Chemical hazards - vapors from paints, solvents, or harmful airborne particles from toners
• Psychological hazards - work under severe pressure, untimely working hours, leading to mental stress

Of these, electrical hazards pose as the main problem in offices, and needs to be tackled effectively to assure a safe working environment.

Problem	Solution
Electrical fire owing to overloaded circuits	Run dedicated circuits; be aware of indicative signs of overloading including discolored outlets, frequent tripping of circuits, blown fuses, overheating of cords and cables, burnt insulation odors, and so on
Inadequate earthing, leading to short circuits and shocks	Inspect the wiring and earthing cables
Loose wiring and improper placement of cables	Use concealed wiring and proper placement of furniture
Power fluctuations	Use appropriate devices such as stabilizers, UPS, and so on, to control erratic surges
Temporary power surges generated by office equipment including laser printers, photocopiers, and fluorescent lights	Use appropriate devices that provide protection from power surges
Blackouts	Use UPS to control blackouts

Most electrical hazards can be prevented by contacting a licensed electrician, who not only installs dedicated circuits, but also inspects electrical systems where needed. It is also recommended to install outlets to eliminate the use of extension cords. Ascertain that any new office equipment does not overload the circuits. Furthermore, fire officers should be appointed for every floor/ area of the office.

It is also important to create awareness amongst employers and staff about the benefits of today’s electrical wiring devices and systems, and the safe use of electrical products. This will help in reducing accidents owing to electrical failures at the workplace.

In addition to electrical safety measures, some other factors can help in minimizing office catastrophes. For instance, proper layout of the office space like flooring, placement of furniture, storage areas, walkways, work cubicles, and so on. Adequate housekeeping, which includes maintaining a clear, organized working space, will help in avoiding accidents and health problems. As an employer, one must indulge to make the workplace as safe as possible.

Last but not least, try improving the emergency alertness and response. The first step is to consider the emergencies that can occur, like power cuts, fires, and so on, and then determine the preventive measures to be taken, such as, evacuating everyone to a safe and designated area. Extraordinary situations like new employees, disabled employees, pregnant women, and visitors should also be considered.

These simple guidelines, when followed, will help to render a safer office environment or a home-converted-office environment, and will further enhance productivity. A clutter free workplace that is less prone to accidents is definitely considered favorable. It is thus necessary to follow sound principles of health and safety on time, every time.

Tags: accidents, hazards, health problems, office, Office Safety, safe work environment, workplace
Posted in Electrical Safety in the Workplace| No Comments »

In long and cold winter months, when the mercury drops below zero, many of us switch to portable space heaters — one of the commonest remedies to make our homes warm and cozy. However, electrical space heaters have a reputation of causing injuries and loss of lives by initiating fires at homes.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (a.k.a. ESFi) has been instrumental in conducting studies about the ill effects of space heaters. In a recent study, ESfi reported that consumers of space heaters should indulge in safe and proper use of space heaters to prevent up to ninety percent of hazards resulting from overheating.

In order to secure your household from such electrical hazards, prepare a safety checklist that starts from the outset, that is, purchase of the space heater.

• Ensure that the manufacturer is certified by a recognized testing authority.
• Usually, an instruction/ device manual is provided by licensed manufacturers that details about safety hazards. Consumers must read the manual carefully, and understand how the space heater works, even before proceeding with the installation.
• Before switching on the heater, ensure that you move all the inflammable materials, like rugs, curtains, bed covers, wooden furniture, and other upholstery at least three to four feet away from the space heater. This is the best way to guarantee that the heat dissipated from the appliance is not enough to cause an overheating and a fire.
• Another point worth mentioning here is that space heaters must be kept away from wet environments, such as bathrooms or kitchen sinks. Some space heaters, however, are designed for use with water. The manual accompanying the appliance will surely cite if your space heater supports this feature.
• Take special care to protect children from getting close to space heaters, and all electrical appliances in general. Children are explorers by nature, and if left unattended, might end up hurting themselves during play.
• Extension cords are not advisable with space heaters. In case this cannot be avoided, you must ensure that the extension cord is compatible with the electrical space heater. The manual that comes with the space heater bears these facts about compatibility.
• Some parts of the space heater might trigger sparks, as they are meant to be heated to high temperatures. A word of caution here is: do not store gasoline or kerosene close to the place where space heaters are installed. An uncontrollable fire might result, in case the heat produced by the space heater causes the inflammable liquid to reach its kindling point, or worse still, if one of the heated parts of the appliance lets off a spark.

Finally, space heaters are not designed for providing ‘supplemental heat’, and must never be used for warming up your bed, drying your clothes, cooking your food, or defrosting your pipes. Space heaters must be used with prudence — only for its intended purpose — and must be safely shut off and unplugged while not in use.

Tags: cold, electrical space heaters, fires, injuries, portable space heaters, supplemental heat, winter
Posted in Indoor Electrical Hazards| No Comments »

Room heaters have now become commonplace — mainly due to the long and cold winter months experienced in some regions of the world. A portable space heater, however, is ideal in situations where space is a constraint or where the heater must be carried from one place to another. The optimum use of a portable space heater is fully justified when you safely employ the appliance — thus, preventing accidental injuries and serious mishaps.

Space heaters demand a lot of power or energy. Furthermore, these devices produce a great amount of heat. This heat might sometimes become the sole cause behind an uncontrollable fire at home. A few preventive measures mentioned here can go a long way in safeguarding your house against such casualties.

• First, never use an extension cord to connect a space heater. It must be plugged directly into an outlet. Extension cords act as temporary replacements for additional receptacles, which deteriorate with use and cause electrical shocks. Further, extension cords overload the household circuit much more than what it can ideally handle, thus causing a fire hazard.
• Analogous to all other household electrical appliances, ensure that the circuit can handle the demand of electrical power from your space heater, given the fact that it consumes a huge amount of energy.
• An important safety factor, most frequently overlooked, is the grounding of an electrical appliance. Although that third prong in the plug does not hinder a successful startup and subsequent functioning of an electrical appliance, clipping it would mean that you are unintentionally exposing yourself to a disastrous shock, as you are not allowing the excessive electrical energy to be grounded.
• In case, an outlet for a three-pin plug is not available, you can plug in your heater into a two-hole outlet by using an adapter. A number of electrical adapters are readily available in the market for this purpose, which do the necessary switching, while also preserving the grounding aspect.
• Since these heaters dissipate a large amount of heat, care must be taken to remove anything from its vicinity, like newspapers, wooden furniture, curtains, bed covers, and other upholstery. The reason behind this preventive measure is that these items can catch fire instantaneously. Inflammable items are much more hazardous, as they need very little heat to ignite. Care must be taken to keep them away from electrical heaters.
• A petty aspect worth mentioning here is that passageways are not the best place to position a space heater. Passageways are generally narrow and most frequently tread by an appreciable number of people. Space is usually a constraint here, and the amount of heat generated by the heater is considerable. Therefore, avoid heat injuries either due to tripping and falling or overheating of the closed space itself by abstaining from choosing passageways to place portable space heaters.

Last but not the least, portable space heaters must be safely unplugged and stored while not in use. Just switching off the device might mean unqualified safety, as it is still in contact with the electrical outlet. A little care and attention to the standpoints discussed above would ensure a safe and risk-free environment, for children and adults alike, and avert distressing incidents due to electrical fire hazards.

Tags: casualties, energy, Extension Cords, fire, portable space heater, power, receptacles, risk-free environment, safety, uncontrollable
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