ESFI maintains a current list of frequently asked questions and answers concerning home electrical safety. Areas of concern for most consumers are:

Statistics
Plugs
GFCI's
Extension Cords
Circuit Breakers
Fuses

If you have additional questions or wish to obtain a copy of the Indoor and Outdoor Electrical Safety Check booklets, see the contact information at the bottom of this page.

Statistics

What are the latest statistics on residential electrical deaths and injuries?

The latest figures from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicate that there were 440 total accidental electrocutions in the United States in 1999, 170 related to consumer products. Twenty-nine of those related to household wiring, 29 to small appliances, 22 to large appliances, 15 to power tools, 13 related to ladders, 12 to garden/farm equipment, and 9 to lighting equipment.

But that is only part of the story. According to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is an annual average of 111,400 home fires caused by faulty electrical distribution systems, electrical appliances and equipment, or heating and air conditioning systems, taking an average of 860 lives, injuring 3,785 and causing nearly $1.3 billion in property damage.

How can consumers help protect themselves from electricity-related injuries?

Consumers should check for problems in their home electrical systems.

If you have an old house with old wiring, how do you know if repairs are necessary? How extensive and costly can such repairs be?

Electrical systems age and can become overloaded, particularly in older homes. Over the years as more lighting, appliances and equipment are added, the electrical system becomes overburdened and problems can develop. If fuses blow or circuit breakers protecting branch circuits trip frequently, new branch circuits or other repairs may be necessary. Depending on the condition of the equipment and the extent of the repairs, the cost may be nominal or could run into several thousand dollars. A qualified licensed electrician can determine if repairs are necessary and can estimate the cost.

 Plugs

How does a three-prong plug work? What's the benefit of using it?

The third prong on a three-prong cord set provides a path to ground for electricity that is straying or leaking from a product. This helps protect the equipment and can help prevent electric shock.

How does a polarized plug work? What's the benefit of using it?

A polarized plug is a plug with one large or wide prong and one narrow one. It ensures that the plug is inserted correctly in a socket and reduces the risk of electrical shock.

 GFCI's

What is a GFCI?

A ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI, is an electronic device for protecting people from serious injury due to electric shock.

How does the GFCI work?

GFCIs constantly monitor electricity flowing in a circuit. If the electricity flowing into the circuit differs by even a slight amount from that returning, the GFCI will quickly shut off the current flowing through that circuit. The advantage of using GFCIs is that they can detect even small variations in the amount of leakage current, even amounts too small to activate a fuse or circuit breaker. GFCIs work quickly, so they can help protect consumers from severe electric shocks and electrocution.

If the GFCI is working, is there any danger of electric shock?

Even if the GFCI is working properly, people can still be shocked. However, the GFCI can act quickly to prevent electrocution.

Do all GFCIs work in the same manner?

All GFCIs work in the same manner to protect people against ground faults. However, unlike the receptacle GFCI, the circuit breaker type GFCI also provides overload protection for the electrical branch circuit.

If the appliance has a built-in shock protector, is an additional GFCI necessary?

Appliances that have built-in shock protectors, as now required for hair dryers, may not need additional GFCI protection. However, other unprotected appliances still need GFCI protection.

Can consumers install GFCIs?

Consumers are encouraged to use a qualified and certified electrician to install circuit breaker-type GFCIs. Individuals with strong knowledge of electrical wiring practices, who can follow the instructions accompanying the device, may be able to install receptacle-type GFCIs. The portable GFCI requires no special knowledge or equipment to install.

What is the big plug now found on such appliances as hair dryers?

The large box-like device found on the ends of some appliance cords can be either an appliance leakage circuit interrupter (ALCI), an immersion detection circuit interrupter (IDCI) or a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). They work in different ways, but they are all intended to shut off the power to an appliance under an abnormal condition such as immersion of the appliance in liquid. Just because you have an appliance with one of these devices doesn't mean that it is okay to drop the appliance in water and retrieve it while it's plugged in. If you should happen to drop an electrical appliance in water, shut off power to the circuit into which the appliance is plugged, unplug the appliance, drain the water and retrieve the appliance. The rule that "electricity and water don't mix" still applies.

If the product has a three-prong grounding type plug, is a GFCI still necessary?

GFCIs are necessary even if the product has a third wire to ground it. GFCIs provide very sensitive protection to consumers against electric shock hazards. Under some conditions, a shock hazard could still exist even if a product has a grounding wire.

Extension Cords

What size extension cords should a consumer use? How can you tell if an extension cord is appropriate for the intended use?

Before purchasing an extension cord, consumers should consider how the cord will be used. Make sure the rating on the cord is the same as or higher than the number of watts needed by the product that will be plugged into the cord. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.

What should I do with cracked, frayed or damaged electrical cords?

 

Have cracked, frayed and damaged cords and appliances repaired at certified repair centers, or clearly label them as “damaged and electrically unsafe,” and discard them. We recommend cutting the cord to make sure “scavengers” don't find the item and take the hazard with them.

Is it ok to run power cords under rugs or furniture?

Never run power cords across traffic paths or under rugs and furniture. Cords need ventilation to prevent heat buildup, which could cause a fire.

Can I nail a cord to a wall?

Never tack or nail an electrical cord to any surface.

How long can I use extension cords?

Never use extension cords on a continuous basis. Remember that they are only temporary solutions. Unplug and safely store them after every use.

Why should I not use halogen lamps?

Halogen desk and floor lamps are fire risks. They should be replaced with lamps that use cooler burning and more efficient fluorescent bulbs.

Circuit Breakers, Fuses

If an appliance continues to blow a fuse or trip a circuit breakers, what should I do?

Appliances that repeatedly blow fuses or trip circuit breakers should be unplugged and repaired or replaced. In addition, appliances that shock you should also be unplugged and repaired or replaced.

Are there any benefits to using circuit breakers instead of fuses?

The main difference between circuit breakers and fuses is that circuit breakers can be reset while fuses operate only once and then must be replaced. If your breakers or fuses trip repeatedly, call an electrician because you may have a problem with your electrical system.

Can I get more power from an outlet when I use a power strip?

No, they do not provide more power, but do provide more access to the same circuit. It is important to remember to not overload power strips and surge suppressors, or you might overload the circuit.