http://www.ck12.org Chapter 5. Energy
- Never mix electricity and water. Don’t plug in or turn on electric lights or appliances when your hands are wet,
you are standing in water, or you are in the shower or bathtub. The current could flow through the water—and
you—because water is a good conductor of electricity. - Never overload circuits. Avoid plugging too many devices into one outlet or extension cord. The more devices
that are plugged in, the more current the circuit carries. Too much current can overheat a circuit and start a
fire. - Never use devices with damaged cords or plugs. They can cause shocks, shorts, and fires.
- Never put anything except plugs into electric outlets. Putting any other object into an outlet is likely to cause
a serious shock that could be fatal. - Never go near fallen electric lines. They could have very high voltage. Report fallen lines to the electric
company as soon as possible.
Summary
- A short circuit occurs when electric current follows a shorter path than the intended loop of the circuit. A short
circuit may cause wires to overheat and start a fire. - Several safety features are built into modern electric circuits and devices. They include three-prong plugs,
circuit breakers, and GFCI outlets. - Following safety rules can reduce the risk of injury or fire from electricity.
Explore More
Take the electric safety quiz at the following URL. Incorrect answers will be marked with an X. http://www.ehs.o
kstate.edu/modules/electric/quiz.htm
Review
- What causes a short circuit? Why is a short circuit dangerous?
- Identify an electric safety feature and explain how it works.
- Create an illustrated poster to share electric safety rules with other people your age. Include at least three
safety rules in your poster.