May is National Electrical Safety Month

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener

Lenoir, North Carolina (May 2, 2000) – Your home needs to be a safe place for you and your family. That’s why Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is helping promote May as National Electrical Safety Month.

Electricity is helpful, but should be treated with respect.

Every year, thousands of Americans are injured as a result of accidents in and around the home. Blue Ridge Electric offers the following tips for making your home a safer place to live:

Walk through your home and check for dim or flickering lights, the smell of burning plastic, and warm outlet covers or switch plates. These could be signs that your home needs to be checked by a professional.
Make sure cords are in good condition – not cracked or frayed – and placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard, or other objects.
Check for outlets that have loose fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Replace any broken or missing wall plates and make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.
Remember – water and electricity don’t mix. Keep all electrical products and cords, such as radios, TVs, hairdryers, and curling irons away from water. Never reach into water to get an appliance that has fallen in without first turning off the power source at the panelboard.
Check the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the size of the fixture. Never leave lamp sockets empty – always replace burned out bulbs immediately.
Unplug toasters or toaster ovens before using a knife or fork to remove stuck bread or a bagel.

Start a safety campaign in your home today! A quick tour could save lives and money.