How to prevent electrical accidents in and around your house is possible by knowing how they are most likely to take place. Always remember that electricity tries to find the easiest path to the ground. It travels through conductors, preferring water, metals and wire, and people. Electricity is deadly when a human body provides a path for electricity to travel to the ground. Follow these tips to avoid common electrical problems so that your safety and that of your loves ones can be ensured.

Circuit breakers and fuses are safety devices that cut off power to an electrical circuit if it becomes dangerously overloaded or if a short circuit occurs. Your breakers or fuses are located in a service panel somewhere in your house or outside your house.

If you lose power to one of your house circuits:

Check the equipment on the circuit to determine what caused the interruption, such as:

• A defective lamp or appliance
  
• An overloaded motor
  
• A faulty socket or fixture
  
• A worn-out or frayed appliance cord or extension cord
  
• Too many appliances or lamps on one outlet

Make sure your hands, and the floor you are standing on, are dry.Push the breaker switch to the full "OFF" position, then back to "ON." Or carefully replace the fuse.

If you cannot find the problem and the breaker or fuse keeps shutting off power, call an electrician.

If your fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently, or appliances such as toasters or irons take a long time to heat up, or lights dim when other appliances are in use, you may need more housepower requiring you to upgrade your home's electrical system.

Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers for outdoor circuits and for circuits used indoors around water, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. When the potential for an electrical shock exists, these highly sensitive, fast-acting devices shut off power to prevent injury.

Make sure your home's wiring complies with the local electrical ordinances. Have electrical updates, additions or modifications performed and checked by a qualified electrician.

Protect cords from damage by not placing them where they are likely to be walked on.

• Avoid twisting or crushing the cord.
  
• Keep cord away from heat or water.
  
• Never wrap a cord around a metal pipe or appliance.
  
• Check cords occasionally for signs of wear and damage and replace them promptly when needed.
  
• Avoid using extension cords whenever possible. But if needed, use the right size cord for the job.
  
• Do not exceed the cord's recommended rating. Do not string a series of extension cords together.
  
• When using power tools, use a heavy-duty cord. If working outdoors, make sure the cord is weather resistant.
  
• Never use an extension cord as a permanent substitute for adequate, safe wiring.
  
• Unplug a cord from a wall when not in use. When unplugging a cord, pull the plug not the cord.
  

This is the way to operate appliances safely:

• Never operate an appliance while touching a metal object - especially plumbing - or while standing on a wet surface or while taking a bath or shower. Teach children not to touch appliances with wet hands.
  
• Always locate appliances away from sinks and tubs in the kitchen or bathroom.
  
• Never use a metal object such as a fork or knife to dislodge something from an appliance.
  
• Keep motors clean and free from lint, dust and dirt. Always unplug appliances before cleaning them.