Safety Around the House

At Choctaw Electric Cooperative, nothing is more important to us than your safety and well-being.

Please read through the following precautions and follow them to help keep you, your family and your home safe.

Home Safety Quick Tips

Electricity and water don’t mix. Never use electrical appliances close to water.
Take an electrical tour throughout your home, searching for potential hazards. Many hazards are easily identified and corrected.
Never put anything into electrical outlets not intended for them.
Make sure electrical outlets aren’t overloaded.
Check all electrical and extension cords to make sure they aren’t cracked, frayed, or covered by rugs or furniture.
Use the appropriate wattage light bulb for lighting fixtures.
Keep electrical appliances away from damp or hot surfaces, and make sure they have appropriate air circulation.
Dim or flickering lights, arcs or sparks, sizzling or buzzing sounds from your electrical systems, odors, hot switch plates, loose plugs and damaged insulation, among other things, are signs of potential hazards and should be examined by a qualified electrician.

Available resources

Safety programs are available for groups of all types and sizes. Volunteer fire departments, school classrooms, Boy/Girl Scout troops and any number of other organizations can benefit from these safety programs. For more information or to schedule a presentation for your group or organization, please contact us for more information.

Download a monthly checklist here.

Know the Basics

People are good conductors of electricity, particularly standing in water or on a damp floor. Your body can act like a lightning rod and carry the current to ground. Use outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) in bathrooms, garages, near kitchen sinks and outdoors. These devices prevent serious shock. They can be added as temporary adapters if necessary.

Keep appliances away from bathtubs, puddles, sinks and wet hands. Always unplug an appliance before cleaning - even if turned off, it can shock. Never overload an outlet with multiple appliances. Use only appliances approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory.

Remember These Tactics for Toddler Safety

Toddlers have a reputation for "getting into everything", so you need to plan ahead to keep them from getting shocked. Electrical safety rules are simple, but important for children.

Cover electrical outlets with snug-fitting plastic safety plugs. Spring-loaded outlet covers are also available.

They must be turned before a plug can be inserted. Get protective safety covers that allow appliance plugs to pass in and out for frequently used outlets. When possible, place furniture in front of outlets to prevent your child from touching them. Keep small metal objects, such as paper clips, hair pins and safety pins off the floor.

Tape electrical cords and wires to floors/baseboards to prevent fraying or breaking. Do not put them under carpets. Roll up and tie loose appliance cords to keep them off the floor. Keep fans and portable heaters out of the reach of little fingers. Connect power tools to a master switch so you can turn off all tools when you leave the workshop. Most importantly, supervise your children. That's the best safety measure of all!