GRDA Power For Progress Column May 4 2020

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

Recognizing National Electric Safety Month …

Don’t overload your circuits

The Grand River Dam Authority is proud to join with organizations like the Electric Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to recognize May as National Electric Safety Month. Through the month in this space, we will be sharing important electric safety tips that can help keep you and your family safe. And because many of us are spending more time at home these days, we wanted to start off there – with tips for the home, including some information about the dangers of overloaded circuits. According to ESFI, here are some warning signs that your circuit may be overloaded: 

• Flickering, blinking or dimming lights
• Warm or discolored wall plates
• Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Crackling, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles
• Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles or switches

Here are a few ways you can prevent electrical overloads in your home:

• Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances.
• All major appliances should be plugged directly into wall receptacle outlets. Only plug one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time.
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is a good indicator that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets.
• Only use the appropriate watt bulb for any lighting fixture. Using a larger watt bulb may cause a fire.
• Finally, remember: power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet.

For more electric safety tips, visit esfi.org and check out this column space in the weeks ahead. Your friends at GRDA want you to stay safe.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency.          

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