Gift Ideas That Make the Home Safer All Year
This holiday season, why not give a gift that lasts year-round and could save a life? That is exactly what you can do by purchasing electrical safety devices. Safe Electricity has the following recommendations for safe gifts. The different prices and purposes of these gifts should fit anyone on your shopping list.
- Tamper Resistant Outlets or Outlet Plugs: Young children may put fingers or other small objects in outlets without understanding the dangers of electricity. It is up to you to understand the dangers of electricity and prevent accidents. Tamper Resistant Outlets (TROs) provide a permanent solution. TROs have shutters that stay closed unless a plug with two prongs is plugged in. If you do not have a thorough understanding of electricity, TROs should be installed by a professional. Another option is simple outlet plugs.
- Portable/Extension Cord GFCI: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) detect and prevent shocks. You may have noticed them in many bathrooms, kitchens, and other places where water and electricity may meet. They are the outlets with red and black buttons. If you know someone who works outside often, a portable GFCI is a perfect gift. A portable GFCI offers protection to whatever electronic is plugged into it, keeping your loved ones safe wherever they work.
- Gift Certificates: Sometimes it is difficult to set aside the time and money to take care of one’s home, until it is absolutely necessary. You can encourage loved ones to take care of their home with gift certificates for electrical inspections. The gift certificate may serve as the extra incentive for a friend who has experienced shocks, electrical sparks, or other electrical problems around the home.
- Smoke Alarm and Batteries: If you have friends who are part of the small percentage of Americans who do not have a smoke alarm, help them out by giving them one as a gift. For friends who already have an alarm, consider buying batteries and even offering to replace the batteries in the smoke alarm.
- Carbon Monoxide Detector: Carbon monoxide detectors are a fairly recent development compared to smoke alarms. They are not required by law in new construction in all states, and not all homes have one. Detectors come in battery and plug in varieties.
- Power Strips: Many people will get new electronics for the holidays. Help your friends power electronics safely with a new power strip. Choose a power strip that comes with a circuit breaker that will trip if the power strip becomes overloaded. Overloaded power strips are dangerous and can cause shocks and fires.
The holidays are a busy time, but Safe Electricity encourages you to take time to keep all of your celebrations safe. For more information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
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