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Here is some valuable information from the Leviton Institute on making sure your home is safe:

"The trend to upgrade and remodel our homes is an indication of how much we value the creature comforts and security of home. But how safe are we in our homes? Last year 7 million Americans suffered disabling injuries and another 27,000 died as a result of injuries sustained in their homes.

Now is a good time to take stock of how you can prevent hidden electrical dangers from becoming disasters. It is recommended you have a professional electrical safety inspection performed every ten years and that you conduct your own inspection of your home and exterior grounds annually.

Here's how:

1. Examine outlets and switches to make sure they have no cracked or broken parts. If they do or if they are hot to the touch, make sure you have them replaced immediately. Also check for loose-fitting plugs which can be a shock or fire hazard.

2. Outlets are designed to accommodate a certain amount of amperage, generally 15 or 20 amps. If you overload an outlet with too many appliances you can exceed its amperage rating and create a fire or shock hazard in your home. Unplug the excessive appliances from the outlet and plug them in elsewhere in your home.

3. Never tape over a damaged electrical cord. Make sure cords are not frayed or cracked and never run them under carpets or rugs. Replace taped, frayed or damaged cords immediately.

4. Never force a plug into an outlet and never remove the ground pin from the plug to make a three-prong plug fit a two conductor outlet. If plugs fit loosely in an outlet and begin falling out, the outlet must be replaced.

5. Fuses should be properly rated for the circuits they're protecting. Always replace a fuse with the same size you are removing. Check to ensure that the circuit breakers in your home are working properly.

6. Make sure you have GFCIs installed in your kitchen, bathrooms, workshop, basement, garage and outdoor areas where water and electricity are likely to come in contact.

7. Test your GFCI once a month. Plug an appliance or nightlight into it and turn it on. Press the "TEST" button and see if the appliance or the light switches off. Press the "RESET" button and the appliance or light should go back on. If the appliance or light doesn't go off when you push the TEST button or if it doesn't go back on when you press the RESET button, the GFCI isn't working properly and should be replaced.

8. When using an extension cord, always plug an appliance into the cord before plugging it into the outlet.

9. When using extension cords outdoors, always use a cord rated for outdoor use.

10. Never install a high wattage light bulb into a lamp socket rated for a lower wattage bulb."

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