Many do-it-yourself undertakings involve the use of electric power tools. Because of their power and the use of electricity, they present certain safety risks that users need to be aware of. Working with power tools requires instruction and training as they can be deadly if not properly used or maintained. Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries, such as heart failure and burns, are among the major hazards associated with electric-powered tools.

Listed are some guidelines to help protect you from power tool hazards:

• Power cords are one of the most dangerous problem areas on electrical tools. Cords should be inspected frequently for fraying and other damage.
• Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool.
• Wear appropriate personal protective gear, such as safety eyewear, face shields, hard hats, safety shoes and insulated gloves.
• Never use tools in a damp or wet environment (unless approved for that use) which will increase the risk of a short circuit or electrocution. Additionally, make sure the work area is uncluttered and well lit.
• Do not use power tools without the proper guards and safety switches.
• Store in a dry place with cords wound loosely (a cord should never be wrapped around the tool itself) and tools that have malfunctioned should be properly labeled to prevent others from attempting to use them.
• Electric tools must have a three-wire cord with a ground and be plugged into a grounded receptacle, double insulated or be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer which is used to convey electrical power coming from a source of alternating current (AC) power to a certain device, where the powered device is being isolated from the power source for safety measures. Double–insulated tools are identified with a square-within-a-square logo or the words “double-insulated” on the tool.
• Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated.
• Read the tool owner’s manual prior to use and operate tools within their design limitations.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

Power tools can be very useful and can save you a lot of work when compared to using conventional hand tools. When it comes to purchasing these tools, it is wise to spend a little more and focus on quality rather than price for your safety.

Where will your family be if a disaster strikes? They could be anywhere – at work, at school or even in the car. How will you find each other? Disasters may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so now is the time to plan in advance how you contact one another, get back together and what to do in different situations. Below are some important items to remember when preparing your plan:

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family.
• Locate a safe room or the safest area in your home. In certain circumstances the safest area may not be in your home but within your community.
• Determine escape routes from your home and know your meeting place.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, allowing all your family members to have a single point of contact.
• Make a plan for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones or program them in your cell phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
• Check your insurance coverage especially since flood damage is not always covered by homeowners insurance.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.
• Use a NOAA weather radio and replace its battery every six months.
• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
• Assign everyone in your family a list of preparation activities, or allot a substantial amount of lead time if you don’t have anyone to help you.

Meet with your family to create a disaster plan then practice and maintain it. The best plan in the world won’t do you or your family much good if no one can remember it. Be smart – be prepared – be responsible and most importantly, be safe.

After a storm comes through, there are steps you should take to keep you and your family safe during a power outage.

1. If you’re experiencing an outage, call CAEC’s outage hotline at 1-800-619-5460.
2. Try to only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Due to risk of fire, avoid candles if possible.
3. Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out, but leave one light switched on so you know when power is restored.
4. Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer during a power outage.
5. If it is hot outside, take steps to remain cool. Move to the lowest level of your home, as cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. If the heat is intense and the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall, or “cooling shelter” that may be opened in your community. Listen to local radio or television for more information.
6. If you have an electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it. Sometimes garage doors can be heavy, so get help to lift it. If you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home upon return from work, be sure to keep a key to your house with you, in case the garage door will not open.
7. Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
8. Listen to local radio and television for updated information.
9. NEVER go near a downed power line or electrical equipment. Call the local utility company and the police.
10. Do not touch anything (including branches, or building material) that is touching a power line.
11. If you see anyone who has come in contact with a power line, DO NOT touch the person. Any efforts to pull them away could make you the second victim. Call emergency services immediately.
12. Do not drive around or “sight see” in storm damaged areas. Utility and emergency crews need to be able to come in and out. Also, the area may have downed power lines, gas leaks or other dangerous situations.

During possible severe weather, you may see the words “watch” and “warning” used, but do you know the difference? Here’s a brief breakdown:

Watch: A watch means the potential exists for the development of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes or other severe weather events such as a hurricane in the area under the watch. When a watch is issued, you should continue your normal activities, but keep an eye and an ear out for further updates and possible warnings.

Warning: A warning on the other hand, means that severe thunderstorms, tornadoes or other severe weather events are occurring or is imminent based on Doppler radar information. You should move indoors to a place of safety and follow your storm safety plan.

Watches and warnings have no time-limit and should be taken seriously. Keeping a weather radio programmed for your area can help alert you of either event.

It’s natural to assume that when we walk into a room and flip a switch, the light will instantly illuminate. But what do you do when your lights don’t come on? Most of us would call an electrician, and finding a qualified electrician is important for any electrical job; ranging from the smallest installation of a new light fixture to the complete rewiring of a house.

Working with electricity can be very dangerous and you want to make sure your electrician is experienced and certified for your own safety and the protection of your family. Faulty wiring poses several hazards, especially a potential fire.

Like many other contractors, electricians specialize in a specific field. Some do construction sites, others go out only on service calls and some focus on commercial property work. Electricians who concentrate in remodeling have mastered techniques for wiring existing homes and additions, such as snaking wires through finished walls, assessing the capacity of existing circuits and evaluating whether to install an additional service panel (where the circuit breakers are located) to handle increased power demands.

Although you can assume a certain level of competency when an electrician shows you his/ her state license, there are two levels of proficiency to consider. A master electrician has passed a standardized test and has at least two years of experience. This type of electrician is knowledgeable of the National Electrical Code and its modifications. Areas of expertise lie in planning, designing, installing and maintaining an electrical system for a project. A journeyman electrician is one who has not qualified for a master’s license, but is licensed by the state, and by law cannot design systems but can install wiring and equipment. Some states, including Alabama, require journeymen electricians to work with a master electrician.

For recommended electricians, you can check with your local homebuilders’ association or call (800) 745-4222 or an electrical-supply business in the area. And when you do decide on an electrician, be sure to see a copy of his/her state license and proof of insurance, making sure both are current. In addition, check references concerning previous jobs.

Identifying a qualified electrician to address your specific electrical needs may be difficult, but in the end it is worth the effort – having peace of mind that your family and home are safe.

In order to hang a heavy framed picture above your couch, you find a stud in the wall and hammer in a large nail to support the size and weight. But hidden behind the wallboard is a wire that provides electricity to a wall outlet located in back of the furniture. Your nail penetrates the wire, tearing the insulation and shorting the electrical circuit to the room. The wall quickly becomes hot, as a fire explodes behind the wall. This is an arc fault which generates high temperatures in excess of 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, igniting nearby combustibles such as wood, paper, wallboard and carpets. An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem often caused by damaged, overheated or stressed electrical wiring or devices.

In the U.S., arcing faults cause many of the estimated 67,800 electrical fires in homes every year, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To help reduce the number of electrical fires in homes, an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is a type of circuit breaker that replaces standard circuit breakers in your home’s electrical service panel and provides a higher level of protection by detecting dangerous electrical conditions and shutting down the electricity before a fire has a chance to ignite. These devices are equipped with advanced internal electronics that detect arc fault hazards – which traditional breakers are not designed to recognize.

• The most common conditions that usually trigger arc faults include:
•  Loose or improper connections, such as electrical wires to outlets and switches
•  Extension or appliance cords that are damaged or have worn or cracked insulation
•  Natural aging, and cord exposure to heat vents and sunlight
•  Cables that are improperly nailed or stapled too tightly against a wall stud
•  Wires located behind walls that can be accidentally punctured by a screw or drill bit
• Cords caught in door jams, deteriorating the cable insulation through the action of opening and closing the door
• Furniture pushed against or resting on electrical cords

Arc fault circuit interrupters can be purchased at any local electrical distributor, hardware store or home improvement center for approximately $35 – $45 each. Make sure to have a certified electrician install them for you, ensuring its compliance with the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements while meeting your home’s needs.

Electrical fires can be a silent killer occurring in areas of the home that are hidden from view. Use of AFCI technology could prevent between 50 to 75 percent of these electrical fires, saving hundreds of lives, reducing thousands of injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage annually.