Is Your Home Safe from Electric Shock?

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Each year in the US, more than 3,000 children under 10 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to inserting objects into electrical outlets.

To protect your family, you should:

• Use safety plugs to cover electrical outlets.
• Keep electrical appliances, such as hair dryers and curling irons, out of the reach of children and away from water.
• Make sure shock protectors, known as ground fault circuit interrupters or GFCIs, are installed by professionals in bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms with water or dampness. They help protect against electrical shock and against electrical fires by constantly monitoring the electrical current. At the first sign of a short to the ground, they automatically shut off the electricity, sparing you a potentially deadly shock..
• Have a professional check your home, especially if it is older, for proper electrical wiring.