Power of Past Posts – Tamper Resistant Receptacle

What Does a Tamper Resistant Receptacle (TRR) Do?

Posted in Home Safety by ESFi

Tamper resistant receptacles (TRRs) provide a simple, permanent solution for preventing common childhood shock and electrical burn injuries caused by tampering with a wall outlet.

  1. Unprotected outlets are a hazard for small children.
  2. Serious injuries result when common household objects are pushed into the slots.
  3. TRRs replace standard outlets to protect children from injury.
  4. A built-in shutter system prevents objects from being inserted.
  5. Plugs can still be easily inserted when equal pressure is applied to both slots.
  6. Unlike removable outlet caps, TRRs provide a permanent solution.

 

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Power of Past Posts – Halloween Safety

ESFI:  It’s Not a Trick.  Treat Yourself to Safety

  • Curiosity leads to many things, not all of them safe.  Protect children by installing Tamper Resistant Receptacles in your home.  This permanent, cost-effective solution prevents injuries and deaths caused by the insertion of foreign objects into outlets.
  • Avoid using dried flowers, corn stalks or hay in your festive decorations.  These items are highly flammable and could even be ignited by heat from a nearby lightbulb.
  • Outdoor electrical decorations are increasingly popular.  To reduce your risk of shocks, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) should be used wherever water may come into contact with electrical products.  Replace traditional receptacles with GFCIs or use a portable one.
  • Inspect all electrical decorations and extension cords before use.  Discard any that are have cracked, frayed, or exposed wiring.
  • Use only electrical decorations and products that have been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL, Intertek, or CSA.

Above safety tips provided by

 

 

 

 

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Power of Past Posts – Don’t Overload Your Home’s Electrical Capacity

 

ESFI: Don’t Overload your Home!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 47,700 home fires in the U.S. are caused by electrical failures or malfunctions each year. These fires result in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading your electrical system.

 

Overloaded circuit warning signs:

  • Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
  • Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
  • Warm or discolored wall plates
  • Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
  • Burning order coming from receptacles or wall switches
  • Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches

How to prevent electrical overloads:

  • Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
  • All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
  • A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets
  • Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet

The CPSC estimates more than 50% of electrical fires that occur every year can be prevented by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)

Only use the appropriate watt bulb for any lighting fixture, Using a larger watt light bulb may cause a fire

 

Above safety tips provided by

 

 

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