SAFETY AND HEALTH

Watch For Summer Electrical Overloading

The hot, sultry days of summer give us greater appreciation for the relief provided by our air-conditioned homes and workplaces. But air conditioning and even constantly running fans use a lot of electricity, and keeping cool in the hot, humid weather places a great demand on home and office electrical systems.

Overloaded electrical circuits and faulty equipment and wiring can start fires and create other electrical hazards, which can cause injury or even death.

Nationwide, an estimated 50 million older homes and buildings with outdated electrical wiring and systems are at greater risk of dangerous deterioration and becoming overloaded. The wiring of many homes is not equipped to properly handle and support the increased electrical demands of present-day homes and offices. This can cause not only inconvenient power outages, but also hazardous conditions.

According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, nearly one-third of an average 406,700 residential fires per year are related to electrical distribution or appliances and equipment. Fires related to heating and air conditioning systems alone account for more than 10 percent of this total. These residential electrical fires cause an annual average of 860 deaths, 4,875 injuries and nearly $1.3 billion in property damage.

Many of these tragedies can be prevented with a home electrical inspection to find and correct hidden hazards. The time and investment in a having a qualified electrician check your residence and perform a few home repairs and upgrades are small compared to the protection and safety they provide to your family and home.

An electrical system inspection is recommended for all dwellings 40 years old or older and for all existing homes at the time of sale. A few ways to determine if your home needs an electrical inspection include:

• Major renovation or major new appliances have been added in the last 10 years,

• Lights often flicker, blink or dim momentarily,

• Circuit breakers trip or fuses blow often,

• Cords or wall plates that are warm to the touch or discolored,

• Crackling, sizzling or buzzing is heard from outlets,

• Extension cords or multiple power strips are permanently in use.

Avoid using extension cords on a continual basis. Use them only temporarily and make sure the cords are in good condition - not frayed, stretched or worn -and out of the path of foot traffic. Never use an extension cord for air conditioners, electric heaters or fans.

Remove and keep all electrical cords from behind baseboards and beneath carpets and furniture. This eliminates a major fire hazard.

If electrical items to be plugged in are close together, use a plug bar or surge protector. But make sure not to overload the electrical circuit, which can create a fire hazard.

In addition to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, designed for protection from electrical shocks, Safe Electricity encourages homeowners to have a professional electrician install arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) outlets in bedrooms. AFCI is a relatively new technology to address electrical fire hazards. Most local codes now require these outlets in new residential construction.

No matter the season, or age of home, be vigilant and continually check for electrical hazards such as cracked or fraying electrical cords, overloaded outlets and circuits, and improper wattage light bulbs in lamps and light fixtures. And always make sure smoke alarms are placed and functioning properly.

Make sure your home is safe from the hazards of electrical overloading this summer. Visit our Web site www.SafeElectricity.org to learn more.

Molly Hall is executive director of the Illinois Electric Council, a not-for profit organization dedicated to promoting electric safety and efficiency. Safe Electricity was created by a statewide coalition of electric cooperatives, electric companies and the University of Illinois.

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