Electrical safety starts at home: Follow these tips

Electrical safety starts at home: Follow these tips

Apr 22, 2026 | Safety and Security

 

May is National Electrical Safety Month, a great time to learn how to stay safe around electricity at home. Electricity helps power our lights, appliances, phones, and more — but if it’s not used the right way, it can be dangerous. 

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical home structure fires cause the following every year: 

  • 51,000 fires 
  • 1,400 injuries 
  • 500 deaths 
  • $1.3 billion in property damage 

The good news? Many electrical accidents can be prevented with a few easy safety steps. Here’s a room-by-room guide to help you and your family stay safe at home. 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR A DOWNLOADABLE AT-HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST: PPL Electric Utilities At Home Electrical Safety Checklist

Download this room-by-room checklist to help keep you and your home safe!

Living Room Safety 

Living rooms often have lamps, TVs, game systems and phone chargers — all using electricity. 

Safety tips: 

  • Check cords on lamps and electronics. Don’t use them if they are cracked or frayed. 
  • Make sure outlets and switches have faceplates and work properly. 
  • Never run cords under rugs or furniture, as they can overheat. 
  • Keep space heaters far away from curtains, furniture and other items that can catch fire. 
  • Don’t plug too many things into one outlet or power strip. 
  • If children live in or visit your home, use outlet safety covers. 

Kitchen Safety 

Water and electricity don’t mix, so kitchens need extra care. 

Safety tips: 

  • Keep appliances like toasters and mixers away from the sink. 
  • Unplug small appliances when you’re not using them. 
  • Make sure refrigerator coils are clean and there’s space behind the fridge for airflow. 
  • Kitchens should have GFCI outlets (outlets with “test” and “reset” buttons). Test them once a month. 
  • Keep a Type C fire extinguisher nearby in case of an electrical fire. 

Bathroom Safety 

Bathrooms also have water, which makes electrical safety very important. 

Safety tips: 

  • Keep hair dryers, razors and other electric items away from sinks, tubs and toilets. 
  • Unplug appliances when you’re done using them. 
  • Install and test GFCI outlets monthly. 
  • Use safety covers on unused outlets, especially if kids are around. 

Bedroom Safety 

Bedrooms may seem low-risk, but chargers and cords can still cause problems. 

Safety tips: 

  • Don’t run cords under beds, rugs, or furniture. 
  • Unplug phone chargers and other electronics when not in use. 
  • Check cords regularly for damage. 
  • Make sure outlets and switches are covered. 
  • Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas and on every floor of your home. 

Basement Safety 

Basements often hold big appliances and electrical panels. 

Safety tips: 

  • Know where your main electrical shutoff is located. 
  • Label your circuit breaker box clearly so you know which breaker controls each area. 
  • Make sure breakers have the correct amperage. 
  • Clean dryer lint after every use and leave space behind washers and dryers for airflow. 
  • Use GFCI outlets near washers, sump pumps, and utility sinks. 
  • Keep space heaters away from boxes and stored items. 

Garage Safety 

Garages often use power tools, heavy equipment and additional appliances. 

Safety tips: 

  • Check cords and plugs on all tools. 
  • Unplug tools when they’re not in use. 
  • Use tools with three-prong plugs when possible. 
  • Avoid overloading outlets, especially when using power tools. 
  • Make sure your garage has the correct breaker size for its electrical needs. 
  • Keep boxes and storage items away from outlets and wiring. 

Outdoor Electrical Safety 

While it’s important to make sure the inside of your home is safe, at home safety also means being careful outdoors. 

Safety tips: 

  • Use outdoor-rated outlets with waterproof covers. 
  • Never use indoor extension cords outside. Look for cords marked “SJTW.” 
  • Only use generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, and never near doors or windows. 
  • Never open or touch your electric meter—only trained professionals should do that. 
  • Before digging for any project, call 811 at least three business days ahead to avoid hitting underground lines. 

A Safe Home Starts With You 

Electrical safety doesn’t have to be hard. By checking cords, using the right outlets and keeping electricity away from water and flammable items, you can help protect your home and your family. 

This National Electrical Safety Month, take a few minutes to walk through your home and spot potential hazards. Small steps today can help prevent big problems tomorrow. 

National Electrical Safety Month: Learn, inspect and prevent

National Electrical Safety Month: Learn, inspect and prevent

May 1, 2025 | Safety and Security

Staying safe around electricity is something we focus on every day as we work to deliver the most reliable power possible to our 1.5 million customers. We should also take that mindset home with us and make electrical safety a priority.

During National Electrical Safety Month, take some time to inspect electrical equipment and components in your home and make sure your home is free from electrical hazards. And if you do detect some safety hazards, consider hiring a qualified electrician to do an inspection and make any needed repairs or upgrades.

Here are some common electrical safety measures, including tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International, that you can take around your house:

Extension cords

  • Never use more than one extension cord and don’t overload the cords you do use.
  • Make sure the extension cords you use are properly rated for their intended use and have been approved by an independent testing laboratory.
  • Inspect cords before use. If you spot cracked or frayed sockets, loose wires or loose connections, discard and replace the cord.
  • Don’t put staples or nails through cords.
  • Don’t put carpets or rugs over cords.

Overloaded circuit warnings

  • Flickering, blinking or dimming lights.
  • Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses.
  • Warm or discolored wall plates.
  • Crackling, sizzling or buzzing in receptacles.

Power tool safety

  • Use ground fault circuit interrupters with power tools to protect against shocks.
  • Don’t use extension cords longer than 100 feet with power tools.
  • Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.
  • When working with electricity, use tools with insulated grips.
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Smoke alarms

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every floor.
  • Test smoke alarms once a month.
  • Replace smoke alarm batteries annually.
  • Occasionally dust or lightly vacuum exterior of alarm to remove dust and cobwebs.
  • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

Outdoor safety

  • Contact 811 at least three business days before any digging project.
  • Always identify potential overhead power lines before beginning any outdoor project.
  • Carry ladders parallel to the ground to avoid contact with overhead power lines.
  • Don’t use electrical equipment or extension cords in wet conditions or in the rain.

Additional resources

PPL Electric offers a variety of important electrical safety information and resources at pplelectric.com/safety. You can find resources for specific groups including:

 

12 Tips for a safer home or business

12 Tips for a safer home or business

May 4, 2021 | Safety and Security

The start of National Electrical Safety Month is a reminder to take inventory of electrical components around your home and business. It’s also a good time to share with others the importance of staying safe near overhead and underground power lines and other electrical equipment.

Always stay away from any power lines that may fall to the ground and always assume they’re energized. If you see a fallen line report it by calling 1-800-342-5775 and we’ll send someone out to the location.

Here are some electrical safety tips to consider all-year round.

Inside your home or business:

  • Make sure all power cords are in good condition and not frayed or cracked.
  • Do not put nails or staples through cords and don’t run cords under carpeting.
  • Make sure plugs fit securely and are not forced into an outlet.
  • Use light bulbs that are the correct, recommended wattage.
  • Use extension cords only for temporary, not permanent wiring.
  • Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in areas where water and electricity can make contact.
  • Contact a licensed electrical contractor if you have flickering lights, sparks, non-functioning outlets, or need wiring repairs or upgrades.

Outside:

  • Before doing any work that involves ladders or climbing, make sure there are no power lines overhead.
  • Know what’s below! Call 811 at least three business days before starting a project that involves digging.
  • Don’t plant trees under power lines or near other electrical equipment.
  • Stay away from pad-mounted transformers, the large green metal boxes that are typically seen on the ground in housing developments.
  • Keep power tools away from water and don’t operate then when it’s raining.

For more electrical safety resources, check out pplelectric.com/safety.