Water Danger

Using electrical appliances near water can be a matter of life and death. It’s never too early to teach children the hazards of this potentially deadly combination.

Power is present even when an appliance is turned off, so … if an appliance falls into water, unplug it — don’t touch it! Never immerse appliances in water for cleaning. Never let their cords trail in water. And never use them near sinks or tubs where they might fall into water.

One way to ensure better safety with tools and appliances is by using a ground fault circuit interrupter. This device limits the flow of electricity by turning off the receptacle(s) during even the smallest current leak. If you must use electric appliances in your bathroom, garage, outdoors, or anywhere near water or moisture, they should be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter.