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Protect your family with these home safety tips

Monday | May 4, 2020
All News

We are all spending a little more time at home these days, which means it’s the perfect time for a quick home inspection. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, faulty home electrical wiring causes 26,000 residential fires a year, hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Unfortunately, electrical hazards often go unaddressed until it is too late. Below are a few tips to help you find and correct hazards that may be lurking around your home:

Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs that can cause shocks or start fires. Replace missing or broken wall plates, so the inner wiring components are not exposed. If you have young children, use safety covers on unused outlets. Consider installing tamper-resistant receptacles with a built-in shutter system that prevents hairpins and other small objects from being inserted into the outlet.

Check the cords of the appliances in your home, as well as the plugs and connectors. Make sure they are not frayed, cracked or damaged, placed under rugs or carpets, resting on furniture, or in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple cords to walls, floors, or any other objects.

Extension cords should be used on a temporary basis only. They are not a permanent wiring solution. Have additional outlets installed where you need them. If you are using extension cords, make sure they have safety closures to protect young children from shocks or mouth burns. Never use an indoor extension cord for outdoor use. Use an extension cord specifically for outdoors; they are heavier and less likely to be damaged.

Check your electric panel to make sure the breakers and fuses are properly rated for the circuit they are protecting. Have a qualified electrician identify and label the correct size to be used if you are unsure. When replacing a fuse, use the same size.

Check light bulbs and appliances to make sure the wattage matches fixture requirements. Do not replace bulbs with higher wattage than recommended. The bulb should be securely screwed in to prevent overheating.

If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker, or gives you an electrical shock, immediately unplug, repair or replace it.

Check for or install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). A GFCI is an inexpensive electrical device that shuts off power instantly if there is a problem. GFCIs should be installed in all “wet” areas of the home, such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates GFCIs could prevent more than two-thirds of the roughly 300 electrocutions that happen each year in the home.

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About

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an electric distribution cooperative that serves more than 20,000 meters in seven central Oklahoma counties.

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. This employer participates in E-Verify

 

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local: 405-372-2884 toll-free: 800-375-2884

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physical: 3305 S. Boomer Rd., Stillwater, OK 74074

mailing: P.O. Box 1809, Stillwater, OK 74076

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©2025 Central Rural Electric Cooperative. Empowering Our Members and Communities

  • Your Service
    • Sign Up for Service
    • Payment Options
    • SmartHub
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Energy Solutions
    • Backup Generators
    • Residential Energy Audit
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Solar
    • Rebates
  • Outage Center
    • Report an Outage
    • Outage Map
    • How Central Restores Power
    • Preparing for an Outage
    • Using a Backup Generator
  • Community
    • Co-op Connections
    • Operation Round Up
    • Co-op Kids
    • Youth Programs
    • Safety First
  • Cooperative
    • Our Mission, Vision and Values
    • Management Team
    • Board of Trustees
      • Board District Map
      • Board Governance
      • District 1
      • District 2
      • District 3
      • District 4
      • District 5
      • District 6
      • District 7
    • History of Central
  • Resources
    • Membership Forms
    • Annual Report
    • Bylaws
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Rates
    • Vegetation Management
    • Working crew location map
    • Construction Timelines
    • Empowered Newsletter
    • Used Poles
    • Oversize Load Assistance
  • Careers