At Groton Electric Light, we believe that nothing is more important than your safety.  Use the following information to help make your home more electrically safe. Not following these recommendations could lead to electrical shock, overheating, or a fire.

Water and Electricity Don’t Mix!

Don’t place any electrical appliance near water, such as a sink or bathtub. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, unplug it and don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified repairperson.

Cords

  • Make sure cords are out of traffic areas and that furniture is not resting on them.
  • Make sure that cords are in good condition (especially not frayed or cracked)
  • Never nail or staple cords

Plugs

  • Plugs should fit securely, but never be forced into an outlet if they don’t fit
  • Plugs should be the proper type
  • Never cut off the ground pin (the third prong) from a plug. Use a two-prong adapter instead.

Outlets

  • Check for loose-fitting plugs and broken wall plates
  • Avoid overloaded situations (don’t daisy chain outlets)
  • Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.

Light Bulbs

  • Check bulbs to be sure they are screwed in securely
  • Make sure bulbs are the correct wattage for the fixture.
  • Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended.

Circuit breakers / fuses

  • Circuit breakers and fuses should always be the correct size for the circuit.
  • Never replace a fuse with anything but the correct size fuse.
  • If you don’t know the correct size fuse, have an electrician identify and label the sizes to be used.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)

  • GFCIs (or GFIs) should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact.
  • Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.