Information sources:
Electrical Safety Authority
Hydro One

HOME SAFETY

Whether you're renovating your home or working in your garden, you should always practice the following safety tips to help keep you and your family safe from electrical shock and fire hazards.

• If you are renovating your home don't forget to consider electrical safety needs in your plans.
  
  1. Contact your local Utility to find out where electrical cables are buried before you do any major digging around your property
     
  2. Always check for overhead electrical wires and/or utility lines
     
  3. Use the service of a licensed master electrician
     
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) should be used for circuits that supply outdoor appliances. These devices sense electrical leakage or failure and shut down the power to avoid electrical shock.
  
• Both extension cords and appliance cords should be checked regularly and the following precautions should be applied for outdoor use.
  
  1. Cords shouldn't be used if they show signs of damage such as loose prongs, splits in the plastic casing (cord jacket), or if they heat up when in use
     
  2. Always protect outdoor extension cord connections
     
  3. Keep electrical cords and appliances away from water and wet areas
     
  4. Use extension cords rated for outdoor use, and never remove the 3rd "ground" prong
     
• Don't mount satellite receiver antennas on power poles.

Our children depend on us to teach them how to keep themselves safe. Childhood adventures often lead youngsters down dangerous paths. The Electrical Safety Authority encourages parents to teach your children the following electrical safety don'ts - this is key to keeping them safe from electrical shock and fire hazards.

1. Don't stick anything into electrical wall outlets, into the end of an electrical extension cord, or into electrical appliances that are plugged in. Electrical wall outlets should be child-proofed to help avoid accidents.

2. Don't overload outlets by plugging too many cords into them. Also be aware that using adapters to add cords can still cause overloads and fires.

3. Don't use any cords that show signs of damage such as loose prongs, splits in the plastic casing (cord jacket), or cords that heat up when in use.

4. Don't remove the 3rd prong or ground pin of a plug.

5. Don't touch outlets or switches with missing or broken cover plates.

6. Don't plug anything into an outlet if there is water on the floor near it.

7. Don't use hair dryers, radios, or any other electrical appliances in the tub or shower. Always unplug hair dryers when you are done with them.

8. Don't go near any electrical wiring, electrical equipment or get on any roof to play or retrieve a ball or toy.

9. Don't forget to be careful when you are playing outside at home or in the park - always check for overhead wires and know that there are underground wires too.

10. Don't climb Utility poles and fences around electrical equipment.

Inspect all extension cords for cracks in the protective sheathing.

Use cords appropriately - different cords are available for indoor and exterior use.

Plug outside lighting and decorations into GFCI receptacles.

Never remove or expose the third prong.

Don't run electrical cords across driveways and walkways.

Keep all plugs and connectors off the ground (exterior).

Don't run extension cords under carpeting (interior).

Don't overload extension cords and/or circuits.

Ensure holiday lighting and decorations bear the marking of an approved certification agency. All Christmas decorations should be approved for use in Ontario. Recognized accredited certification organizations include: CSA, cEntela, cETL, Warnock Hersey, cMet, or cUL.

Please note: if your holiday decoration comes with a plug in power supply that is used to light up any type of ornament check to ensure that both the ornament and the plug in power supply bear marking of an accredited certification organization.

Ensure all lights and decorations are used in line with manufacturer directions.

Before stringing indoor and/or outdoor lights inspect for cracked sockets, loose or bare wires, or loose connections.

Turn off all indoor holiday lights before you go to bed or leave the home.

Check the following when Opening your Cottage:

Prior to turning on your main switch - check all overhead lines that carry electricity to your property to ensure these have not been damaged over the winter months. Stay clear of damaged lines, and contact your Local Distributing Company for assistance.

Check all wiring around your cottage that runs exterior equipment such as water pumps, etc. If wires are damaged remove associated fuse or turn off the circuit breaker and contact a licensed electrical contractor or electrician to arrange for repairs.

Ensure all appliances are turned off and clear of debris (i.e. base board heaters and stove tops) prior to energizing.

Ensure the water tank is full prior to energizing.

If you have an electric furnace, ensure your chimney is clean prior to energizing (i.e. bird's nests etc.).

All branch circuits should be in the off position when the main switch is turned on. Circuits should be energized one at a time after the main switch has been turned on.

If your electrical panel uses fuses, always replace a fuse with the right amperage fuse. Never substitute a higher amp fuse where a smaller one is called for, since this poses a fire hazard.

Never change fuses in the dark or while standing on a wet floor.

If you blow a fuse or throw a breaker by overloading a circuit, make sure that any appliances on that circuit are turned off or unplugged before you replace the fuse or reset the breaker.

When your home or cottage was built, the electrical installation was inspected to ensure that it met the Electrical Safety Code at the time. Keep your wiring safe. If you add to it, be sure to have an electrical inspection.

Check for rust on your fuse box caused by moisture. It can corrode connections, which can lead to overheating and fire.

Never replace a burnt out fuse with a coin, even as a temporary measure. Doing so could start a fire.

Use 'P' fuses for general lighting circuits and circuits to appliances like water heaters, baseboard or portable heaters and stoves.

'D' fuses have a built-in delay feature to handle power surges, which occur when heavy appliances are turned on. They should be used for freezers, air conditioners, clothes dryers and electric furnaces.

It's important to use cords properly and keep them well maintained. Electrical cords are insulated to protect you from the electricity running through the wires inside. When an appliance or tool is on, these wires are "live" and could cause shock upon contact.

Never use a tool or appliance with a frayed cord or where the insulation is knicked and wires are exposed.

Keep cords clean to prevent insulation from deteriorating.

Don't wind cords tightly around an object; the stress could cause the small wires inside to snap or break.

Never run cords under rugs. It conceals damage and can cause the cord to overheat and become a fire hazard.

Never break off the third prong of a plug. The third prong (the round one) is a grounding wire put there for your protection; it provides a ground path that helps prevent or minimize shocks. Rather than breaking it off to fit an older outlet, replace a two-prong outlet with a three-prong one and make sure the third prong is properly grounded.

Never nail cords to walls or floors. It punctures the insulation and can short out the wires.

Don't run cords behind radiators. Heat damage to the insulation can increase the risk of shock.

Avoid "octopus outlets"! Clusters of wires and plugs may mean your electrical system can't cope with your energy needs. It may be time to rewire and add circuits.

Work safely with your electrical appliances

Not all appliances on the market are safe. Electrical equipment that is poorly designed or manufactured can pose a serious shock or fire hazard. Look for a label such as Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). They indicate that the product has been tested and meets the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

Keep appliances in good working order. Never use a tool or appliance where the insulation is knicked and wires are exposed.

Never handle electrical appliances or equipment with wet hands or while standing on wet ground or in water.

Check plugs for bent or damaged prongs. Don't break off the grounding prong on a 3-prong plug!

Watch out for sparks - they're a signal of potential danger. If you see any sparks, turn off and unplug your appliance immediately!

Keep appliances clean. Clean the removable lint filter on your clothes dryer after each load. Dirt, dust or lint can make appliances unsafe to use; lint and dust are flammable.

Always disconnect an appliance before cleaning it.

Potentially fatal shocks can be caused by a ground fault in your electrical appliances and tools. A GFCI provides split-second electrical protection for you and your family – that’s why they are required by law in certain parts of your home.

All outdoor and bathroom electrical outlets in new and renovated homes must be supplied from circuits equipped with GFCIs. This included circuits serving swimming pools and hot tubs. They should also be considered for damp locations such as laundry rooms, basements and kitchens. Specially designed portable GFCIs can be taken from place to place to protect you anywhere.

Take special care near power lines

Don't come close to or touch power lines yourself or with equipment. Even touching the equipment that contacts a line could be tragically harmful.

Be careful if you're installing an antenna; get someone to help you. Touching or even going near a hydro wire with a ladder or antenna could cause serious injury or death. Antennas should be installed well away from power lines; the distance should equal at least the height of the antenna plus 3 metres.

When sailing, always look up to make sure there are no power lines in your path. Contact between them and your mast could be fatal.

When installing a swimming pool, look up! If electrical wires are located within 3m of the edge of the pool (measured horizontally), there must be 4.5m of vertical clearance between the wires and the highest point of the pool area. This includes diving boards, slides and decks.

If you do spot a fallen wire, keep at least 10m away, even if it doesn't appear to be live. Report it to the police and Hydro One Networks.

If a wire falls across your car while you're in it, don't get out. Wait for a Hydro One crew to come and safely remove it. Remember, both the car and the ground around it may be electrified.