Most individuals take electricity for granted. We walk into our offices in the morning, flip the switch and the lights come on. We sit down at our computers, go through the start-up routine, and the computer comes to life. Electricity is part of our everyday lives, but we sometimes forget that it can be a powerful energy source; an energy source that if not used properly or maintained can result in personal injury or death to us, our staff and our patients.

Electricity can also start fires. Electrical fires occur throughout the U.S. on a daily basis, resulting in destructive property losses.

Just a couple of proactive steps now can minimize the potential for an electrical hazard:

·         Any piece of electrically powered equipment should have an Underwriter’s Laboratory
(UL) [i] label on the device or the power cord. If the device doesn’t have a UL label, it shouldn’t be used. All electrical cords should be inspected for fraying, cracks, or cuts and should never be placed under carpeting, rugs, or office furniture. Electrical cords also create great trip-and-fall hazards for people, so try to keep them out of the normal paths of traffic.

·         The use of extension cords in the office should be restricted. In addition, electrical cords should not be stapled or nailed to walls or floors. Sometimes when decorating for the holidays, office staff members use temporary extension cords; make sure that in this situation, the proper type of cord (indoor versus outdoor) is used for the job.

·         If you need extra power, contact a registered electrician and have them install an additional circuit. Extension cords are often used in temporary situations which then become permanent, unsafe hazards. Note: Never use a cheater plug or three-prong to two- prong adapter. This eliminates the grounding properties of the circuit.

·         Be sure to turn off any electrical device before you connect or disconnect it from an electrical outlet. Also, be sure to hold the electrical cord by the plug body and not by the cord itself. Using the cord will eventually damage the internal wiring.

·         Don’t handle any electrical device with wet hands or when standing on a wet floor. This may seem like common sense but remember, any liquid can conduct electricity, even your perspiration.  Anyplace where electricity and water are within six feet of each other, install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) circuit for protection against an electrical shock. Note: On a monthly basis and after an electrical storm, trip any GFCI circuits to ensure that they will operate as designed.

·         Don’t use electrical tape to make splices in cords or to protect cut or frayed cords. Remove the damaged cord from use. Repairing a cord by yourself can pose potential liability on your practice.

·         The use of portable electrical space heaters should be discouraged since they can pose a potential source of ignition by generating resistance heating. Typical resistance heating is the process of running a normal household electrical current through high-resistance wires (called heating elements), thus generating heat, which can reach very high temperatures when operated. If a portable space heater must be used, we suggest that:

o        it is UL-listed

o        it is purchased with an automatic shut-off, should the heater be knocked over or overheats

o        at least three feet of open space is maintained in front of the heater 

o        an extension cord is not used to power the heater

o        if the unit does not work as designed, it is immediately unplugged, remembering to shut-off the heater before doing so

·         Wall receptacles may also become broken or loose through normal use. If you believe that a receptacle is broken or loose, unplug the device. Contact a licensed electrician and have them make any necessary adjustments or repairs to the receptacle. This might also be a good time to have all of your receptacles checked for plug tension and electrical polarity[ii]. Any wall receptacles in your office that could be exposed to children should have plastic inserts installed in any open receptacle slot to protect against exposure and electric shock.

·         When you turn on any electrical device and it begins to emit an odor, smoke, sparks or other strange noises (buzzing or sizzling), immediately shut the device off. Remove the power cord from the receptacle by using the plug body and not the cord.  If the device still appears to be burning at this point, remove the patients from the room and contact the fire department. Remember, if you suspect an electrical fire, you may have other problems within the office wiring system that are not readily visible to you.  This situation dictates an investigation by the fire department and most probably a call to your electrician for appropriate follow-up. Because your office wiring is concealed behind walls, a smell, visible smoke or sparks may be an indication of a more serious problem.  Even a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker may also be a visual indicator of an electrical hazard.

·         Other indicators of potential electrical trouble include lights that dim for no reason and discolored or warm switchplates/coverplates. Sometimes a tear-drop shape may be visible on the front of the switchplate or wall coverplate.  These are also situations when a licensed electrician should be called.

·         When replacing light bulbs or tubes, remember to use the wattage indicated on the fixture or lamp. Don’t increase the wattage because you need more light.   Note: Halogen bulbs can produce high heat and should be placed away from combustible furnishings if used in your office.

·         Know the location of your electrical panels before a problem develops. Label the circuits as to the area, room, or equipment that they control so that in an emergency situation you can shut off equipment or items quickly. Also make sure that any empty circuits are covered with a plate.

·         If a fuse has blown or circuit breaker in an electrical panel has tripped, that is a good indication that a potential electrical hazard exists somewhere inside your office.  At this point, your electrician should be called to investigate the problem.  For those of us that are more mechanically/electrically inclined you may replace the fuse or attempt to reset the circuit breaker. If the problem reoccurs at this point, it is definitely time to call in the professionals. Don’t ever increase the capacity of the blown fuse.

Electrical safety is common sense. If your electrical system doesn’t work or appears to be problematic, have a qualified licensed professional investigate and repair the problem. It’s a good safety practice to have a member of your staff walk around the office and check the GFCI circuits for proper operation on a monthly basis. This is also a great opportunity to check electrical cords for fraying, cuts or breaks that could pose a potential electrical hazard.