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Safety is Job One for AMEC's Risk Management and Training Department. To help you work and live safely, Farmers' Electric Cooperative provides the following links along with some Safe Kite Flying tips and other safety stories and suggestions to help you live safely with electricity... the greatest tool. |
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CLIMATE CHANGE: Go to www.ourenergy.coop and plug in your address. There you'll be able to ask a series of questions to your representatives in Washington. We're kicking this effort off with a basic but critical question: “What are they doing to make sure we'll have the power we need in the future?” ELECTRICAL:
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Kite Flying Cautions | Why Substations Have Fences | Stay Safe in the Field | Spike in Ag Deaths Stay Safe With Electricity | Is Your Wiring Inadequate? | Keep Trees in Their Place | Keep Ladders Away from Power Lines Those Lines Could Be Hot | Be Careful with Older Light Fixtures | Dorm Room Safety Farm Safety Is Up To Adults | Tractor Overturns Are Preventable | Stay Out of "Larms" Way When Remodeling What the UL Label Means To You | Make Electric Safety Priority on Job Site | Use Electric Lawn Tools Safely Inspect Clothes Dryers Regularly | The Greatest Tool | Electric Safety Begins with Outlets | GFCIs and AFCIs Save Lives Test Your Electric Safety IQ | Augers & Grain Bins Can Be Deadly | Heating Season Safety | Kitchen Safety Dangers of Older Wiring | Smoke Alarms Cut Fire Deaths by Half | Don't Wait For Winter to Inspect Furnaces Kite Flying Cautions For Spring Weather With March comes the wind, making this the perfect time to engage in the ancient hobby of kite flying. While Kite flying can be an excellent outdoor activity, Farmers' Electric Cooperative wants to make sure kite flyers enjoy this popular spring activity safely. We want all to have fun kiting, but we must never forget to put safety first. Kites are controlled more by the wind than by the kite's pilot. therefore, it is very important that kites are never flown near power lines. A sudden gust of wind can take a kite in a direction you never anticipated, bringing the kite and its flier into contact with overhead power lines resulting in a potentially disastrous situation. Power lines are not insulated. If a kite becomes entangled in a power line, electricity can travel down the string to the kite flier. Parents should warn their children about the potential dangers of kite flying. Remind them each time they take their kites outdoors. By following these simple rules, kite flying can be a wonderfully, enjoyable experience.
Substations are places where electricity is stepped down from the high voltages used to move it over long distances to the lower voltages used inside the home. They are both critical parts of your electric cooperative system and dangerous places to be. That’s why all substations have tall fences around them. The fences are designed to keep you out — and safe. Signs on the fences warn people to stay clear. Should a child lose a baseball, kite or model airplane inside a substation, the child may be tempted to go get it themselves. Please warn your children never to go inside a substation. Encourage them to play far away from these structures. There are many parts of a substation that can cause serious injury. Rural electric linemen are trained to work inside substations. Even so, they still must take careful precautions before even entering this restricted area. They always wear hardhats inside the substation. And they never enter alone. These highly skilled and trained employees are the only people authorized to enter a substation. Give us a call and we will have one of them return your misplaced belongings. Farm machinery is getting larger. That’s good news to the farmer trying to get the most from his operation. But it can be a problem where overhead power lines cross the farm. Ashland farmer Joel Bullard, a director at Boone Electric Cooperative, discovered that fact recently. Bullard got the scare of his life when he discovered the planter he was operating came perilously close to touching a 69,000 volt transmission line that crossed his property. In Bullard’s case the planter’s row marker is 20 feet long. the transmission lines that cross his property are 22 feet high. That is too close for comfort when the marker is in the vertical position. Because of a gap in regulations, the potential exists for farm machinery manufacturers to build equipment that will not clear power lines. That power line you cleared with no problem last year could pose a threat if you replace machinery or if you or the weather make changes underneath that lowers the distance to the lines. The problem is a gap in the National Electrical Safety Code which mandates heights for power lines. As a result, farm machinery is getting closer and closer to lacking enough clearance around power lines. As you grease and oil your machinery to prepare for the coming planting season, make sure you inspect any areas where power lines cross your property. Take note of any changes underneath caused by the wet winter. Before you move any machinery make sure it will clear power lines. Stay safe! Spike in Ag Deaths Raises Concerns A spike in reported agriculture-related fatalities so far this year has drawn concern from University of Missouri safety specialists. Fifteen fatalities — a number likely under-reported — have occurred across the state from January through April, up from eight in 2004 and six in 2003, according to the Iowa City-based Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. “This is not a statistical sample and not a census of all farm and agricultural injuries, but is an interesting indicator of what’s happening,” said Murray Madsen, center investigator. Madsen said he found 33 farm deaths reported in press clippings from daily, weekly and periodical publications across Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska during this period. Missouri’s 15 deaths were the most of the four states. A contributing factor may be that Missouri has the second highest number of farms in the U.S., trailing only Texas, said Willard Downs, MU agricultural engineer. “While no statistical significance can be drawn from these numbers, they do point to the need for increased safety concerns for farm operators and their families,” said Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri farm safety specialist. Although the causes of deaths vary, the chief safety concern relates to proper tractor operation, she said. At least six of the 15 reported fatalities involved farm tractors. Nationwide, one-third of all fatal farm accidents involve tractors. “If your tractor does not have a reinforced cab or a roll-over protective structure (ROPS), have an ROPS installed,” she said. Installation costs may exceed $1,000 depending on the tractor model and age. While the cost of getting an ROPS installed may seem high, it’s cheaper than lost work time, hospitalization or worse, Funkenbusch said. A few safety procedures can make a big difference.
Other reported deaths involved drownings, grain bin suffocations, ATVs, falling trees and fires. May is National Electrical Safety Month, a time when Americans are encouraged to pay attention to staying safe around electricity. Considered the safest form of energy, electricity still has the potential to cause injury or even death if not treated with respect. Here are some checks you can make in your home today to ensure electrical safety: Outlets Cords Extension Cords Plugs Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) Light Bulbs Circuit Breakers/Fuses Water and Electricity Don’t Mix Appliances Entertainment/Computer Equipment Outdoor Safety Ladders Lightning Halogen Floor Lamps Wiring
Have Time and Technology Made Your Wiring Inadequate? May is National Electric Safety Month, a good time to keep in mind the dangers that can be associated with electric service. Modern living revolves around electricity. It powers kitchen appliances, entertainment centers, home computers, heating and cooling systems. One potential area for electrical hazards is an out-of-date wiring system. Is yours adequate to handle the load you demand of it? Here are some indications that would suggest immediate help is needed:
These are just a few indications of inadequate wiring. Time has made many wiring systems inadequate. The designers of the wiring systems that were installed when lights were first available were unable to visualize the tremendously increased number of uses for electrical current. The old 60-amp fuse box was designed for loads of 35 to 40 years ago and the foreseeable future. But who could have envisioned a world where air conditioning, electric clothes dryers, electric water heating, electric clothes washing, electric garbage disposal, electric trash compacting, electric heating, multiple TV sets and the ever-increasing number of gadgets powered by electricity would be the norm? The actual work however is complicated and should be performed by professional electricians. You are responsible for the wiring on your side of the meter. But the energy experts at your local electric cooperative can often help you get started on making your home a safer place to live. Keep Trees in Their Place (Away from Power Lines) Trees can provide shade, beauty and fresh air around your home — but they can also be dangerous if planted too close to electrical power lines. The experts at the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) say power outages can occur and dangerous electric shock hazards can develop if tree limbs touch electric wires or if branches fall on the utility line. “Trees can also hinder utility repair work and recognition of a hazard,” warned ESFI executive director Michael G. Clendenin. For that reason, only naturally low-growing trees should be planted under or near overhead utility wires. To prevent trees from interfering with power lines, ESFI recommends that homeowners call on their electric utility or a tree trimming professional to prune even questionable tree limbs. Trimming trees near power lines can, itself, be very dangerous, and should be handled only by trained professionals. Also, tell your children not to climb trees that are close to power lines. “It takes only 10 to 40 milliamps for serious injury and even death to occur. Utility power lines can carry thousand of volts, nearly ensuring death to the victim,” added Clendenin. Keep Ladders Away From Power Lines Add your ladder to the list of outdoor equipment that can cause a serious electrical injury. Sixty-five people die every year from electrocutions involving a metal ladder that touched an electrical wire in or around the house. In most of the cases, someone moves a metal ladder without lowering it to the ground and accidentally makes contact with an overhead electrical wire. Accidents also happen when people use metal ladders while handling an improperly grounded power tool. Underwriters laboratories and other rating agencies warn consumers not to bring their ladders within 10 feet of an overhead power line. And it recommends using fiberglass or wood ladders when working anywhere near electric wires or equipment. But any material can allow electricity to pass through it if it’s wet. The experts at UL also recommend that you:
Recent news coverage of hurricane-ravaged areas often showed victims of the hurricane walking past downed power lines. Consumers should know that any downed power line represents extreme danger. While we hope Missouri never experiences a disaster on the scale of what happened in the Gulf Coast recently, we do have our share of thunderstorms, ice storms and floods, all capable of downing power lines. Should you see a power line on the ground never attempt to move it or step over it. Assume it is still energized. Immediately call the utility that owns the line if you know which one it is. If not, contact emergency personnel. Our crews are the only people authorized to move a downed power line. They take part in extensive safety training and have the right equipment to do the job without injury. Together we can keep electricity the safest form of energy. Be Careful With Older Light Fixtures If you have some special light fixtures more than 10 years old that you’d like to keep when you remodel your home, take note: Although these older fixtures may be in good condition, they probably weren’t designed for use in today’s more heavily insulated spaces. Insulation tends to trap added heat, and many older fixtures have never been tested to determine how well they function with higher rated insulation. For more safety tips visit the Electrical Safety Forum Web site at www.electrical-safety.com. If your child’s home-away-from-home is a college dorm room this semester, there are a few things you should know. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,600 fires a year occur in U.S. dorm rooms and fraternity and sorority houses. Older wiring, ill-suited to handle the electrical load from laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, audio equipment and other appliances students use, may well be part of the problem. The Leviton Institute offers some advice to help parents and college-bound kids engage in safe electrical practices while away at school. Even better, if you’re planning a visit to the campus, make sure your child is educated on the safe use of electricity in the dorm. Start by conducting a visual inspection of the dorm room or suite, making sure to check the following areas:
Farm Safety Is Up to Parents and Other Adults As farm projects swing into a high mode, University Extension specialists across Missouri say it is important to remind parents and adults that the protection of children on the farm is their responsibility. “The number one threat to the health and life of children is accidental injury. Most accidents that injure, disable or kill children can be prevented,” says Karen Funkenbusch, research associate with the University of Missouri Rural Health and Safety Outreach Program. As children grow older, many are recruited to help with routine work that requires the use of machinery and power equipment. Many youth work on family farms driving tractors or working with lawn mowers, power equipment and livestock. “Parents have the responsibility to protect, train and guide young people when they work with potentially dangerous equipment. The first step in preventing accidents is being able to recognize hazards and know how to correct them,” says Funkenbusch. Nearly four out of five agricultural-related accidents to youth involve tractors turning over or passengers falling off. The majority of passenger victims are under 16. Per hour driven, young people are four times more likely to have an accident than are their parents when driving a tractor on public roads. Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist, University of Missouri Extension, offers several different ideas for reducing farm tractor accidents. First, Schultheis says it is important to have a “Tractor Operator Only” policy. “Don’t allow riders on tractors and youth should only drive tractors that have rollover protection and seat belts. Driving on public roads should only be done after considerable field experience and the person is licensed to drive,” says Schultheis. A second type of protection is to provide and require the use of equipment that reduces the amount of physical hazard from agriculture work, according to Schultheis. This type of protection includes rollover protection on the cab or frame of tractors, ear muffs or ear plugs to protect their ears when working on noisy jobs, gloves to protect hands from cuts and burns, safety shoes to protect toes and feet, a “bump” cap or hard hat to protect their heads and goggles and face shields to protect their eyes and face. Informal safety training by a parent or other family member is equally important. Machinery operators, no matter what their age, need hands-on training. Schultheis says it is important to not expect teenagers to know how to do something, just because they have watched an adult. “As a parent, you can save yourself time, money and worry by providing your teens with formal and informal hands-on equipment training, keeping your children away from equipment until they are able to use it safely and supervising your teens work activities once they have started to use a piece of equipment,” says Schultheis. This type of effort can result in less damage to equipment and other property, and more importantly, it can save a child’s life or prevent a disabling injury. A good Web resource for age-appropriate tasks is the North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks at http://www.nagcat.org. Deaths From Tractor Overturns Are Preventable Once again, deaths in farm tractor overturns remained the leading cause of injury and death of farmers in 2002. According to data from farm safety specialists and the National Safety Council, over 250 operators and passengers suffered fatal injuries while working on a tractor during 2002, with a majority attributed to overturns. Most of these fatal incidents could have been prevented with the use of rollover protection according to Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Overturns typically occur when tractors are operated on slopes or uneven terrain, often at speeds that render them unstable. Other overturns result from improper hitching of trailing equipment to axles or other tractor components that disrupt the tractor's center of gravity. Another risk for a tractor overturn results from a highway collision with another vehicle that sideswipes or rear ends a tractor moving at a slower speed. “Retrofitting farm tractors with ROPS and a seatbelt will significantly reduce the risk of being fatally injured in a tractor overturn. Extra riders should not be allowed so that the tractor operator can pay full attention to operating the tractor,” says Schultheis. Stay Out of "Larms" Way When Remodeling When starting a home remodeling project, you should be aware and stay out of LARMS way — lead, asbestos, radon and mold — especially when working in an older home, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “Lead, asbestos, radon and mold are all potentially harmful substances that should be discussed with your remodeling professional before you begin a project,” says Joan Stephens, president of NARI. Both asbestos and radon are carcinogenic, meaning they are known to cause cancer, and can be detected by a professional; lead and mold should also be detected by a professional. All remodelers are required to provide you with a brochure entitled “Protect Your Family From Lead in the Home” which NARI provides to its members. While recent studies have shown that mold might not cause more serious ailments previously attributed to the fungus, such as memory loss and seizures, the National Academies of Science does support the claim that asthmatics may suffer more, and that healthy people may experience upper respiratory symptoms, from mold. Remember that knowledge is the best preventative measure. The following are safety tips to follow during a remodel:
The remodeling market, a $214 billion industry in the U.S. in 2003, is projected to grow to $224 billion or more in 2004. It is estimated that more than a million homes per year undergo major renovation or remodeling. NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may visit www.remodeltoday.com to find a qualified professional in their area who is a member of NARI. What the UL Label Means to You Most of us do our homework when it comes to purchasing high-ticket items like plasma TVs and automobiles. We read performance reviews and familiarize ourselves with safety and operating features. But many of us don’t put the same thought and care into purchasing simple electrical products that could have a huge impact on our family’s safety and health. With so many electrical wiring devices to choose from, how can you be assured that the items you purchase will provide years of safe, problem-free performance? What is Underwriters Laboratory? When shopping for items such as light switches, receptacles, dimmers or surge protectors look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) label. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. The UL label indicates that an electrical product satisfies the safety requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, one of the nation’s oldest and most trusted product testing organizations. According to UL, you should make sure its label appears on every electrical product, fire extinguisher and fuel-burning appliance in your home. UL also tests heating, air conditioning and refrigeration products to make sure they won’t pose a hazard to your health and safety. Make Electric Safety a Priority on the Job Site Electrical accidents rank sixth among all causes of work-related deaths in the United States, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. An important way to reduce electrical shock accidents is to institute and follow established procedures for preventive maintenance. This is the responsibility of the employer, employee and owner — establishing a close working relationship to reduce and eliminate electrical accidents. Remember, never ignore electrical problems. Here are a few tips for electrical safety on the job site:
Make sure safety rules are followed at the end of the work day or when a job is finished.
Good housekeeping and a well-planned layout of temporary wiring will reduce the dangers of fire and shock hazard. Use Electric Lawn Tools Safely Working in the yard can be a treat with lightweight electric tools that take a lot of the bending, stretching and backache out of gardening. But they can be hazardous if you’re not careful. Keep these safety tips in mind while planting, weeding and cleaning up.
Clothes Dryers Should be Inspected Regularly The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that clothes dryers are associated with more than 15,000 fires each year that result in property damage, injury and in the worst cases, death. Dryers rank third among the appliances in our homes that start fires, with only stoves and fixed heating systems ranking higher. Like any household electrical appliance, clothes dryers require periodic inspection to ensure they are working properly. The commission recommends you have your dryer inspected by a professional who can replace worn parts and clean its interior to prevent the build up of lint and other fibers that can cause a malfunction. To protect your home and family, make sure you operate your dryer with these precautions in mind:
The Greatest Tool on Earth is also a Dangerous One May is National Electrical Safety Month and each year we remind our selves how important it is to be careful with one of the most powerful and important tools we use daily — electricity. We couldn’t live without it, but we have to be mindful of its dangers. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission there were 400 accidental electrocutions in 2000, 150 of which related to consumer products. Twenty-nine of those related to large appliances like air conditioners, pumps, water heaters, furnaces and clothes dryers. Another 22 involved ladders contacting overhead power lines. Seventeen involved small appliances such as microwave ovens, electric fans, extension cords and televisions, 15 involved power tools, 12 involved lighting equipment, 10 involved contact with installed household wiring. Another 30 involved a variety of other products such as sports and recreational equipment, lawn and garden equipment, antennas, pipes, poles and fences. But that is only part of the story. The CPSC estimates there is an annual average of 165,380 electrical-related home structure fires, taking an average of 910 lives, injuring nearly 7,000 and causing nearly $1.7 billion in property damage. Electric Safety Should Begin With the Outlet The outlet, or receptacle, is perhaps the most commonly used and least thought of device in the home. Every electrical appliance, tool, computer and entertainment center component we use is powered through one. We just plug in and forget about it, assuming all our power needs will be met. And that’s true if we follow some simple but important safety principles. Check outlets regularly for problems, including over-heating, loose connections, reversed polarity, and corrosion. Consider having an electrical inspection performed by a qualified, licensed electrician to help determine the integrity of your outlets and your entire electrical system.
When Used, GFCIs and AFCIs Save Lives Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) — which protect against accidental electric shock or electrocution by acting immediately to shut off the circuit if they sense a ground fault, or “leak” of current off the circuit — have been in homes since the early ’70s on circuits that come within six feet of water. Homeowners, however, should consider having GFCI protection throughout the home with the exception of circuits that serve major appliances, such as air conditioning units, furnaces and heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, and laundry machines. Appliances like those may send a surge through the circuit that can trip the GFCI unintentionally. Remember also to test your GFCIs monthly and after every major electrical storm. Newer arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can help prevent fires that often result from problems at the outlets, switches and frayed and cracked cords connected to the circuits. The AFCI senses the particular signature of an arc—where electricity has to jump a gap—and, like the GFCI, acts immediately to shut off the circuit, thus depriving the hazard the opportunity to start a fire. AFCIs are currently required by the National Electrical Code® in new home construction in the bedroom circuit, but should be considered in all homes, particularly older homes, and in all circuits that don’t serve a major appliance. Test Your Electrical Safety IQ What you don’t know about electricity can be shocking! In addition to safety issues, a basic understanding of electricity can help you select the best devices for your home, reduce your energy bill and make sure you and your family uses the world’s most efficient tool safely. The following is an electricity true and false test. 1. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) offer the same protection as circuit breakers. — False. 2. Surges can enter your electronic equipment through phone and cable connections. — True. 3. If a plug keeps falling out of a receptacle, use pliers to spread the plug blades farther apart. — False. 4. Only a licensed electrician can test a GFCI. — False. 5. A 12-gauge wire is rated to carry more electrical current than 14-gauge wire. — True. 6. A 1,200-watt appliance draws 10 amps of electrical current. — True. For more information go to: www.leviton.com/institute/ Augers, Grain Bins Can Take a Deadly Toll It is the time of year when many of America’s farmers are harvesting their crops. But some hazardous situations could stop the harvest, says Ed Browning, natural resource engineering specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Combines are among the most revolutionary pieces of machinery ever invented and among the most dangerous, according to Browning. “Farmers need to think about how many times they may have changed a section on a sickle bar with the engine still running, stuck a hand in the snapping rolls to pull something out or crawled under a header without putting the stand in place or the top on the cylinder shaft to prevent it from falling. Lots of people are missing fingers, hands, arms and feet because they didn’t think it would happen to them,” says Browning. Besides the combine, Browning says one of the most frequently used pieces of equipment this time of year is the portable transport auger. It, too, can hurt you so safety precautions are important. “First, make sure the shields are in place. It’s easier to lubricate power-take-off (PTO) shafts and motors if they’re removed. But at the same time it’s easier for that shaft or motor to remove one of your limbs, too, so put them back on,” says Browning. It is also important to watch out for overhead power lines. Browning says it is time-consuming to lower an auger just to move to an adjacent grain bin, but it is the safest thing to do. “Grain bins can be deadly, too. Many of us seldom think about practicing safety inside a grain bin, but I usually hear of at least one grain-bin-related death every year,” says Browning, who warns not to climb inside a grain bin with an unloading auger turned on. Make sure someone is nearby to watch even if just climbing in to check grain condition or depth. “It’s just not worth the risk of getting in the bin alone. A safer practice is to provide lockout controls on all unloading equipment and to use a safety harness or rope inside the bin,” he says. And finally, Browning says to not forget safety when driving farm equipment on public roads. “Avoid moving the equipment after dark, and make sure warning lights and slow-moving equipment emblems are in place, functioning and visible. And stay in your lane with wide equipment. When traffic bottles up behind, pull over when an opportunity exists. Drive defensively and stay cool, meaning control your temper,” Browning says. Plug Into Electrical Safety for Heating Season When fall arrives, it’s time to have a qualified professional check and service your heating system. No matter what kind of system you have, a heating system check-up will ensure that it’s operating efficiently and safely before the first cold days arrive. A heating safety check should also include any portable heaters that you may be using. To help prevent injuries or fire:
Leaving an unattended skillet sizzling on the stove is a good way to burn your breakfast, not to mention the chance of burning down your kitchen. According to statistics, 30 percent of all reported home fires start in the kitchen, and of those, most involve the range-top. That is why Underwriters Laboratories and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers are teaming up to spread the word about prevention of cooking fires. “The sad truth is that in nearly 75 percent of reported home fires, especially those originating in the kitchen, the person responsible for the fire was not in the area when it started,” says Barbara Guthrie, director of Consumer Affairs at Underwriters Laboratories.” The two not-for-profit organizations and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offer these tips to help prevent kitchen fires this holiday season:
To receive a free brochure with safety tips from the Underwriters Laboratories, the independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization, call 1-877-STIR-SAF. Be Aware of the Dangers of Older Wiring Owners of older homes may have a much more alarming problem than peeling paint and loose floorboards lurking behind their walls. According to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical distribution was the largest cause of property damage wreaking $643.2 million in property damage in home structure fires, and the third leading cause of home structure fires, causing 40,400 fires, the second leading cause of death (329) and third leading cause of home fire injuries (1,357) between 1994 and 1998, the latest data available. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), household wiring also tied with small appliances as the leading cause of accidental electrocutions associate with consumer products. For this reason, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is urging homeowners to have their homes electrically inspected, particularly if they fall into one of the following categories:
“If your home has dim or flickering lights, loose receptacles, circuit breakers that frequently trip or fuses that frequently pop, hot or discolored outlets and light switch cover plates, or damaged wire insulation, your home may well be a fire waiting to happen,” warned ESFI Executive Director Michael G. Clendenin. “That is your home’s way of telling you that you have a problem.” ESFI also urges homeowners to know if their homes have aluminum wiring, and if so, to monitor it more closely. Because aluminum wire oxidizes more rapidly than copper wire, it presents a greater potential fire hazard; oxidation increases resistance and heat buildup along the circuit. Since aluminum wire expands and contracts at a greater rate than copper wire, there is also a greater likelihood that gaps could develop at connections, potentially leading to hazardous arcs and glowing connections. Even in younger homes, new homeowners should take an active role in understanding the condition of the current electrical system, its capacity, limitations and potential hazards. ESFI encourages homeowners to seek the assistance of an electrical inspector or a qualified, licensed electrician to inspect the home’s circuitry and ensure the home’s circuits are not overloaded and the home’s electrical service can adequately supply the demand. Homeowners are also encouraged to develop a detailed map of the circuitry showing which outlets and fixtures are served by which circuits and how much power is being demanded of each. Clendenin says that electrical inspections can catch problems hidden behind the walls and correct them before they turn tragic. In many cases, technologies such as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and newer arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can be installed to help prevent a fire and accidental electrocution. The bottom line is: Inspect and Protect - call a qualified, licensed electrician to schedule an electrical inspection. For additional electrical safety information, visit the Foundation’s web site at www.electrical-safety.org or call 703-841-3229. Smoke Alarms Cut Fire Deaths By Half Smoke alarms can save your life, your family and your home, but only if you maintain them properly and install them in the right places. The safety experts at Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) advise homeowners and renters to install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of their home. Reports from the National Fire Protection Association show that more than 368,000 home fires occurred in the United States in 2000, resulting in 16,975 injuries and $5.5 billion in property damage. “Having working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home dramatically increases your chances of survival should a fire occur. By providing an early warning in the event of a fire and practicing a well-developed home fire escape plan, smoke alarms allow you and your family sufficient time to reach safety,” said John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for UL. “Your risk of dying in a home fire is literally cut in half by making sure your smoke alarm is installed and maintained properly.” UL offers some additional tips for purchasing, maintaining and placing smoke alarms: When you purchase a smoke alarm, look for the UL Mark on the product as well as the packaging. The UL Mark indicates that UL evaluated representative samples of the smoke alarm for your safety. Although one smoke alarm can help save your life, several may be needed to adequately protect your home and your family. Install at least one on every floor of your home, including the basement and outside each sleeping area.
Drengenberg also reminds parents that recent field studies and available research on human sleep patterns suggest that some children and elderly may not wake up to the sound of smoke alarms. Because of this new information, UL suggests increased awareness when developing a home fire escape plan and take steps to aid in their escape. For more information on smoke alarms visit www.ul.com/consumers. Don't Wait for Winter to Inspect and Repair Your Furnace All heating systems should be serviced periodically by a qualified contractor to ensure top performance. Such maintenance will help ensure safe and efficient operation. Late summer or early fall is often a good time to schedule a professional inspection of fuel-burning residential appliances. Just as car and truck owners take time to maintain the safe operation of their vehicles by checking brakes, the engine and other mechanical parts periodically, residents should monitor the safe operation and use of home appliances.
When people think about insulation, thoughts typically turn to energy efficiency and comfort in the home. Fire safety seldom comes to mind. But this should be a concern because insulations perform very differently in terms of fire safety. Fiber glass, the most common insulation in the U.S., is made from sand that is first melted and then spun into insulation fibers. It is inorganic and, by nature, non combustible. Cellulose, on the other hand, is made from ground-up newspaper. This organic material is naturally flammable and must be treated with chemicals to make it fire resistant. There has also been a concern about smoldering and rekindling problems with cellulose insulation. Throughout the country, there have been documented cases that cellulose insulation is contributing to attic fires. The heat from sources such as faulty wiring, recessed lighting, chimneys or flues caused the cellulose to ignite. All this added to fire and water damage in homes. Many times, these fires had to be extinguished more than once due to the material’s tendency to smolder and reignite. Therefore, it is important to use a non-combustible insulation material in your home. Fiber glass is non-combustible, non-corrosive to wires and pipes, and provides excellent thermal coverage. It is ideal for insulating attics, crawlspaces and sidewalls. Be aware, though, that while fiber glass is non-combustible, the kraft or foil vapor retarder sometimes attached to insulation is flammable and should not be left exposed. Once installed, the insulation should be covered with wallboard (sheetrock) or paneling. |
