Do you know that home electrical fires are responsible for an estimated 80,000 fires and $1.3 billion in property damage each year? Protect your family and your home by following these electrical safety tips from OCFA.
Appliances
- Always plug major appliances directly into wall outlets.
- Unplug small appliances when they are not in use.
- Check electrical cords on all appliances regularly. Replace any cracked, damaged, or loose cords. Never try to fix them yourself.
- Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn.
- Always use bulbs that match the recommended wattage for each lamp or fixture.
Outlets
- Never overload wall outlets.
- Insert plugs fully into sockets.
- Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children.
Extension Cords, Power Strips, and Surge Protectors
- Replace worn, old, or damaged extension cords right away.
- Only use extension cords for a short period of time.
- Do not run electrical cords across doorways or under carpets.
- Do not overload power strips.
- Use surge protectors, not power strips, with electrical devices that require a lot of electricity to operate.
Electrical Fire Warning Signs
- Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
- A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance
- Discolored or warm wall outlets
- A burning or rubbery odor coming from an appliance
- Flickering lights
- Sparks from an outlet
如何預防電線走火
每年因為不當使用家電而引發的火災數高達八萬件之多，造成13億美元的財產損失。橙縣消防局提醒居民在歡慶佳節之際，注意防範電氣火災，以確保住家平安。
家電用品
- 大型家電應直接使用牆面的插座
- 小型家電不用時應拔下插頭
- 定期檢查家電用品的電源線是否破損或鬆脫，必要時送請專業人士處理，千萬不要自己動手修
- 電燈應平置，並遠離易燃物
- 注意使用符合推薦瓦數的電燈炮
插座
- 勿超越牆上插座的使用負荷量
- 將插頭完全插入插座
- 必要時應安裝預防幼兒誤用的電源插座
延長線、延長線插座及電湧保護器
- 更換老舊、破損的延長線
- 使用延長線的時間不宜過長
- 避免電線跨過門徑或是穿越地毯下方
- 避免延長線插座使用超過負荷
- 需要大量電流的家電，應使用電湧保護器代替延長線插座
電線走火的警訊
- 經常發生保險絲熔斷或跳電
- 當你碰觸電器時會有刺痛感
- 插座變色或溫度上升
- 家電用品散發出燒焦或橡膠味
- 電燈閃爍
- 插座出現火花