The people of Reliant believe that there's nothing more important than the safety of your family and your home. Take a few minutes to review the following indoor safety tips for wiring, lights, breakers and other common household items.
Power strips. Power strips are helpful items that provide more access to plug in products. But, they don’t provide more power to a location and they can be hazardous if they are overloaded. So, have additional outlets installed where you need them, both for safety and convenience.
Electric cords. You may not realize it, but electric cords need ventilation. They need to have air circulate around them to keep them cool. So, check your home and remove any cords from under carpeting or behind baseboards. Consult with an electrician or carpenter about the best way to run the cords in your home.
Extension cords. Extension cords are very convenient when you need to use a plug out of reach. But remember, they are intended for temporary usage and are not to be used permanently. So, unplug and safely store extension cords after every use. And, be sure to purchase those cords approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ETL-SEMCO (ETL), or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Light bulbs. Are you using the right bulbs in your fixtures? Check to ensure you're using bulbs of the right wattage and type to avoid overheating or possibly fires. And, have an electrician check your ceiling fixtures and recessed lights to ensure they are operating properly.
Circuit breakers and fuses. When replacing a fuse, be sure to use the correct size. A fuse that is too large can allow excessive current to flow and possibly overload the outlet and the house wiring to the point that a fire can begin. Not sure? Ask a qualified, licensed electrician to identify and label the fuse sizes in your breaker box so you'll know for the next time.
Outlets. Check to make sure outlets and switch plates are not unusually hot to the touch, making a humming sound or discolored from heat buildup. If they are, immediately unplug cords from these outlets and do not use the switches. Have a qualified, licensed electrician check the wiring as soon as possible.
GFCI outlets. Be sure your GFCI is providing protection from electric shock by testing it monthly and after every major electrical storm. A light plugged into the GFCI receptacle should go out when the test button is pushed. If the light remains on when the button is pushed, the GFCI is not working properly. Also, if the "RESET" button pops out but the light does not go out, the GFCI has been damaged or was improperly wired.
Electrical appliances. As a general rule of safety, unplug all small electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, curling irons, clothes irons, and toasters, when not in use. Better to be conservative when it's regarding the safety of your home and family.
No. 1 in Texas
More than 23,000 people have taken the pledge to switch to CFLs with the Reliant Energy Power Pact.
Power strips. Power strips are helpful items that provide more access to plug in products. But, they don’t provide more power to a location and they can be hazardous if they are overloaded. So, have additional outlets installed where you need them, both for safety and convenience.
Electric cords. You may not realize it, but electric cords need ventilation. They need to have air circulate around them to keep them cool. So, check your home and remove any cords from under carpeting or behind baseboards. Consult with an electrician or carpenter about the best way to run the cords in your home.
Extension cords. Extension cords are very convenient when you need to use a plug out of reach. But remember, they are intended for temporary usage and are not to be used permanently. So, unplug and safely store extension cords after every use. And, be sure to purchase those cords approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ETL-SEMCO (ETL), or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Light bulbs. Are you using the right bulbs in your fixtures? Check to ensure you're using bulbs of the right wattage and type to avoid overheating or possibly fires. And, have an electrician check your ceiling fixtures and recessed lights to ensure they are operating properly.
Circuit breakers and fuses. When replacing a fuse, be sure to use the correct size. A fuse that is too large can allow excessive current to flow and possibly overload the outlet and the house wiring to the point that a fire can begin. Not sure? Ask a qualified, licensed electrician to identify and label the fuse sizes in your breaker box so you'll know for the next time.
Outlets. Check to make sure outlets and switch plates are not unusually hot to the touch, making a humming sound or discolored from heat buildup. If they are, immediately unplug cords from these outlets and do not use the switches. Have a qualified, licensed electrician check the wiring as soon as possible.
GFCI outlets. Be sure your GFCI is providing protection from electric shock by testing it monthly and after every major electrical storm. A light plugged into the GFCI receptacle should go out when the test button is pushed. If the light remains on when the button is pushed, the GFCI is not working properly. Also, if the "RESET" button pops out but the light does not go out, the GFCI has been damaged or was improperly wired.
Electrical appliances. As a general rule of safety, unplug all small electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, curling irons, clothes irons, and toasters, when not in use. Better to be conservative when it's regarding the safety of your home and family.
