Zap! Play it Safe Around Electricity!

Is Your Home Sa f e? Y ur H a e o S e T his simple inspection inside your home will help k ep you and your family safe. Do the inspection with an adult. If you find any hazards, check “Needs Fixing” and then ask an adult to have them fixed.

NEEDS FIXING

LOOK FOR

OK

1. Overloaded outlets 2. Electric appliance cords that are worn or frayed 3. Electric cords running under rugs or furniture legs 4. Appliances used near water without GFCI protection 5. Power tools used in wet or damp areas 6. Electric heaters close to anything that can burn 7. Circuit breakers that trip (or fuses that blow) often

q q q q q q q

q q q q q q q

11:15 AM: Called to the home of Thomas McNeely, age 11, to investigate an Overloaded Electrical Outlet. I discovered a horrible spectacle—a television, VCR, video game player, portable electric heater, hair dryer, lamp,

2:12 PM: Spot check on Eliza Goodwin, age 13, picked up three years ago for the same offense. She’d overloaded one outlet with a computer, printer, hair dryer, stereo, television, and curling iron. This time, we found her outlets safe and under control. If Eliza can learn to be safe, so can you. —Toby Snyder

clock radio, stereo system, and more, all plugged into the same outlet. When will people learn? “Do you know why we’re here?” I asked. “I have no idea,” he replied. Obviously, he hadn’t gotten the message. “Look at these wires! Look at this mess! Do you think this is safe?” “I, uh, maybe.” He was starting to crack. “Overloading an outlet can cause a fire. You could burn down your entire house!” I could see that I was getting to him. “Untangle these wires and make use of the other outlets in your room or call an electrician for help.”

12 ZAP!