WSDA Senior Safety Officer
Agency employees p
lugging surge protectors into surge protectors is a fire hazard. Whether you work in an office, laboratory, or remote worksite, please ensure your workspace has surge protectors plugged directly into the outlets. According to the Edison Electric Institute, some other general safety tips are provided below:
Extension Cord Safety Tips
- Never use extension cords as a constant, long-term extension of your household’s electrical system. Continuous use can cause an extension cord to deteriorate and can result in a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard.
- Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip.
- Never plug two extension cords together. Doing so can result in overloaded circuits, short circuits, and damaged cords, which could lead to fires or electric shocks. Instead of plugging extension cords together, consider installing additional outlets where needed.
- Do not run cords through walls, doorways, ceilings, or under rugs or carpet. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape and can create a fire hazard.
- Make sure that your extension cord or power strip is properly rated for the device that will be plugged in and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use.
- Regularly inspect electrical cords and extension cords for damage.
Indoor Safety Tips
- Reduce your electrical load by using energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
- Unplug small appliances when not in use.
- Use an outlet cover or plastic outlet cap to keep children safe around outlets.
- Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Evaluate and change out the batteries annually.
