Common Water & Electricity Hazards You Should Know About For Summer
Even though summer in Los Angeles is dry and hot, it is important for residents to understand and practice safety when it comes to water and electricity. Summer time should be fun, but there are a number of water and electricity hazards lurking both inside and outside of the home. Kiddie pools, water play on the lawn, and cannonballs off the diving board are all fun summer activities, however, when water seeps toward electrical outlets, wires and cords and electrical equipment, fun can turn into disaster.
The lazy days of summer often distract the 3.8 million residents in L.A. County, which is why now is the optimal time to inspect your home and surrounding area to ensure water and electrical safety. Without proper preparation and maintenance, playing with water near electrical appliances or with water gadgets can be risky, and cause a significant amount of serious injuries or even death. Don't compromise safety over fun.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power urges the public to become educated on practicing safety, which will help reduce injuries and deaths due to electric shock, electric shock drowning, electrical fires and electrocution. Keep you and your family safe by avoiding the deadly hazard of mixing water and power. Here are multiple safety tips that apply to everyone. These guidelines may seem obvious, but often, these recommendations are ignored or pushed aside to do at a later date. Avoid visiting the ER or calling 911 by following these precautions:
- First and foremost, never swim in the pool (or in the ocean) during an electrical, thunder or rain storm. Lightening can strike at any time.
- Look up – keep away from swimming in pools with power lines overhead.
- Keep all outdoor electrical outlets covered and dry; utilize approved tamper resistant weatherproof electrical receptacle covers.
- Ensure all electrical equipment used for swimming pools, such as the cleaning equipment, is grounded. Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI); portables are available to purchase. GFCIs turn off automatically when it senses a current leak or a short circuit.
- All wires, cords and electrical appliances must be at least 10 feet away from pools, spas and spigots.
- Never ever handle electrical tools, machines and devices when you are wet.
- Battery operated electrical pool gadgets and toys, tools or devices are the way to go.
- Keep in accordance with applicable local and national electrical codes by booking an electrician to inspect pool, spa and hot tub mechanisms and equipment.
- Learn CPR.
Defy danger in the yard by taking these steps:
- Maintain gardens, vines and trees throughout the year. Prune when necessary to avoid power lines.
- Use a “weatherproof while in use” outlet cover, if utilizing an electrical outlet is an absolute must in wet weather. It is recommended that outlet use be avoided at all costs on rainy days.
- Work with electric gardening tools that feature insulated grip handles to avoid electrical shocks.
- Backyard parties are popular this time of year and extension cords are often a necessity for entertaining. Make sure extension cords are rated for outdoor use. Indoor cords cannot weather outdoor conditions.
- Using a ladder? Do not come within 10 feet of a power line and remember that you can experience extreme danger without touching it.
- Metal ladders conduct electricity and it is recommended that outdoor ladders be made of wood or fiberglass.
- Do not trim trees in electrical storms or severe weather conditions.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
