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Worksite Safety Resources
Extension Cords

Whether on the worksite or decking the halls at home this holiday season, extension cords are often necessary. When used properly, they are a safe and effective tool. But if used incorrectly, or when they are damaged, extension cords can cause harm to equipment, electrical shocks, fires, burns, or worse.

Extension cord safety should always be a top priority on the worksite and at home!

Did You Know?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270.1 Further, electrical hazards cause more than 300 worksite deaths and 4,000 injuries annually.2

Decorate Safely During the Holidays

As the holiday season gets into full swing, many families decorate to spread some cheer and make their homes more festive. While holiday decorations can be fun and beautiful, they can also present fire hazards. To keep your home and family safe throughout this holiday season, consider the following decorating tips.

  1. Only buy electrical decorations that have an Underwriter Laboratories rating on the label, which indicates that they have been tested for safe use.
  2. Follow all installation and usage instructions for lighting decorations to ensure that you are not increasing your chance of starting a fire.
  3. Inspect new and used lights before using them and discard any that have cracks, exposed wires, or loose connections.
  4. Do not connect more than three sets of lights to an extension cord at one time.
  5. Plug outside lighting only into a ground fault circuit interrupting outlet, as this will safeguard the outlet from any interaction with water.
  6. Do not secure outside lights with staples or nails, and avoid placing indoor extension cords under carpeting, rugs, and furniture.
  7. Unplug lighting decorations before going to bed and leaving the house.
  8. If you set up a Christmas tree, place the tree in a sturdy stand at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
  9. Only keep your Christmas tree for two weeks, because it will dry out quickly and can become highly flammable.

1https://static.stayonline.com/documents/cpsc-gov-extension-cord-safety.pdf
2https://www.esfi.org/workplace-safety/workplace-injury-fatality-statistics/

Make sure safety is ALWAYS a top priority in your workplace!