At York Electric, we recognize Electrical Safety Month every May, but we also know the importance of practicing safety year-round. From our co-op crews to you, our valuable members, we know everyone has a part to play in prioritizing safety.
We not only live and breathe safety here at YEC, but we also aim to educate our members and communities, doing our part to keep safety as a forethought instead of the “coulda, woulda, shoulda” after an accident. Our team hosts safety demonstrations at community events, discusses electrical safety at schools, posts about safety on social media and writes about it in our monthly communications. We encourage you to read our library of safety information and watch our videos.
Here are a few simple tips to encourage you stay safe in your home:
- Frayed wires pose a serious safety hazard. Power cords can become damaged or frayed from age, heavy use or excessive current flow through the wiring. If cords become frayed or cut, replace them as soon as possible.
- Avoid overloading circuits. Overload happens when you draw more electricity than a circuit can safely handle—by having too many devices running on one circuit.
- Label circuit breakers to understand the circuits in your home. Contact a qualified electrician if your home is more than 40 years old and you need to install multiple large appliances that use large amounts of electricity.
- Use extension cords properly. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. If you “daisy chain” them together, it could lead to overheating, creating a potential fire hazard. Don’t exceed the wattage of the cord. Doing so also creates a risk of overloading the cord and creating a fire hazard. Extension cords should not be used as permanent solutions. If you need additional outlets, contact a licensed electrician to help.