City of Kingston, Ontario, Canada - Fire Safety and Prevention: Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety

Check cords for damage such as fraying or nicks. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard.
Avoid running cords under rugs, which can damage the cord and cause a fire.
Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection. If permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician. Extension cords should not be linked together - instead, use an extension cord that is long enough to do the job.
Avoid overloading a circuit with 'octopus outlets'. If additional outlets or circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.
A cord or plug that becomes hot is an indication of an overloaded circuit.
Air conditioners, space heaters, and other heavy appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet. If this is not possible, use a 14 gauge three-wire, grounding-type appliance extension cord.
When replacing a fuse, make sure it is of the right amperage. Substituting a higher amp fuse where a smaller one is required can pose a fire hazard.

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Kingston's participation grows in the national Communities in Bloom competition.

This page last modified: January 30, 2012, at 11:08 a.m.