Electric safety

Electricity powers our lives, and it's safe as long as we treat it with respect. Always keep these tips in mind when using electricity.

Indoor safety

Always verify your appliances carry the Underwriters Laboratories seal of approval.
Never touch an appliance and a water faucet at the same time.
Never use any electrical appliance while standing on a wet floor.
Unplug any appliance that sparks, smokes or suddenly stops running.
Unplug appliances when not in use.
Insert plastic plugs in unused outlets.
Remove plugs from wall outlets by pulling on the plug, not the cord.
Inspect all electrical cords for wear or broken insulation, especially near plugs.

Outdoor safety

Never climb in trees or build tree houses near overhead power lines.
Don't fly kites or model airplanes near overhead power lines.
Never remove a kite or airplane that gets entangled in overhead power lines, on a pole or in a tree near power lines. Call LES PowerLine (1-888-365-2412) for removal.
Teach kids to stay away from electric utility facilities and not to climb fences around these facilities.
If you are planning to dig in an area that may have underground power lines, call Diggers Hotline (811 or 1-800-331-5666) so the location of the buried power lines can be marked for you.
Keep ladders, antennas, kites and poles away from the power lines leading to the house.
If a power line hits your car, stay inside unless the car catches fire. Then, jump clear without touching the car and ground at the same time.

In case of fire

If an electrical fire starts at a wall outlet, dial 911 to report the emergency. Give your address and tell them it's an electrical fire.
If the fire is small, use your home CO2 fire extinguisher. Never put water on an electrical fire.
If you're in doubt, get out and take everyone with you.

For more information...

Kids! LES invites you to hang out on our e-SMARTkids site. Becoming e-SMART means learning about electricity and using it safely and wisely. Check out our games, activities, experiments and more! Go there now »*

* You will need Adobe® Flash® Player. download for free »