Know Your Home Wiring

	From the street, electricity is carried by power lines to the "service entrance" of your home. In many newer subdivisions, power is distributed through underground lines. From the service entrance, electricity enters the "main switch." It is clearly marked with an "on" and "off’ position and controls all the power in the house, (except where a flat rate water heater is supplied by a separate small switch fastened to the main switch.)
	All lighting and general use circuits are protected by either "circuit breakers" or fuses. Fuses are generally found in older homes, and most newer electrical service entrance installations use circuit breaker panels.
	When changing fuses or doing electrical work around the house, always disconnect the power by moving the main switch to the "off" position.
	If you suspect your wiring is outdated and needs repair, call a qualified electrician to perform the work. We DO NOT recommend that home-owners attempt to upgrade or repair their wiring themselves. Remember... wiring is not a hobby! Remember to have all electrical work inspected by a qualified Hydro One Electrical Inspector.
	Never open the door of the main switch. If you suspect trouble inside it, call your electrical contractor. Even with a burned-out main fuse and the switch in the "off" position. the contacts are still live and very dangerous.
	From the main switch, the panelboard or fusebox splits the power into circuits that go to all rooms in the house. Fuses or circuit breakers protect each circuit. If trouble occurs. such as a short circuit or an overload, the fuse blows or the circuit breaker trips, stopping the flow of power to the circuit.
	Circuit breaker panels or fuseboxes are usually located in the basement. and will generally provide trouble-free service with little maintenance. With fuse boxes proper care is usually as simple as using the right type and size of fuse. Overloading circuits could cause power loss or lead to fire.
	Be aware of warning signals that could lead to fusebox or circuit breaker problems. Contact your electrician (circuit breakers open or fuses repeatedly blow for no apparent reason, or if you detect rust in the fusebox. Overheating and discoloration in the fusebox or flickering lights are also danger signals not to be ignored.

The following safety reminders can help you avoid problems.

CHANGING A FUSE

	Remember to take a flashlight when you’re going to change a fuse. Never change the fuse in a dark room or while standing on a wet floor.
	Before changing the fuse, unplug appliances on the overloaded circuit and turn off the main switch.
	Install the proper size fuse. All lighting and general use circuits are fused at 15 amps.
	Never replace a fuse with a penny, dime or other metal object. This eliminates the protection that a fuse is designed to give and could cause a fire.
	There are two types of fuses identified by the letters "D" or "P". The "P" fuse is recommended on all general circuits. especially those to appliances that heat but aren’t motorized, such as water heaters, baseboard heaters and ranges.
	Time delay or dual element fuses, identified by the letter "D" and a metal band should only be used for large motorized appliances – clothes dryers, furnaces, refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners. "D" fuses can handle power surges when the appliance motor activates, but should not be used on general lighting circuits.
	Screw in plug-type fuses as tightly as possible by hand and check them periodically to ensure that they are screwed in tightly. Loose fuses may overheat. If your power is off throughout the entire house. the trouble is probably in your main switch or main breaker. Call your local hydro. Don’t tackle the job yourself.
	The cover of your fuse box or breaker panel should be kept closed to protect children from injury and to prevent dirt from accumulating.

GFCI

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI provides you and your family with almost instant protection from potentially fatal electrical shock caused by a ground fault in your electrical tools or appliances. A ground fault in a circuit, extension cord, tool or appliance permits electrical current to flow from the live wire to ground. A person can be seriously injured if he or she is in the path of the electrical current flowing to ground, for example while using an electric lawn mower with frayed cord in wet grass. Faults usually result from worn insulation, moisture, or deterioration in tools due to age or neglect. For more information, see the page about GFCI's on this website.

Take Care Of Your Cords

PULL THE PLUG... NOT THE CORD!

Pulling by the cord will wear it quickly and create a shock hazard.

KEEP CORDS AWAY FROM HEAT AND WATER.

Heat or water can damage the insulation and create a shock hazard.

CORDS UNDER CARPETS ARE A FIRE HAZARD.

Don’t run electric cords under rugs, through doorways or anywhere they will get excessive wear.

NEVER BREAK OFF THE THIRD PRONG ON A PLUG.

Replace a two-prong with a three-prong outlet and make sure the third prong is properly grounded. It provides a ground path that helps prevent or minimize shocks.

INSPECT CORDS AND PLUGS.

Worn, they can cause fires, short circuits or shocks. Check electrical cords and plugs and discard them if they are worn or damaged.

ELIMINATE OCTOPUS CONNECTIONS.

Plugging a number of cords into one outlet is a fire hazard. It usually indicates that your home wiring is outdated for your needs and that you should have more outlets wired in.

DON’T USE EXTENSION CORDS AS PERMANENT WIRING.

An extension cord is a handy device to temporarily bring power to an area in your home that does not have an outlet. It was never designed to take the place of permanent wiring. Using extension cords as permanent wiring is an indication that your home wiring is not adequate and should be updated.

Use Electrical Appliances Carefully

In the days before electricity, washdays really were blue. There is no doubt... if used safely and with care, electrical appliances make life easier and relieve drudgery. The following points will help you use electricity safely.

	THE SEAL THAT MAKES SENSE.
	Before buying an electrical appliance, make sure it has a CSA certification mark. The CSA seal ensures electrical safety when the appliance is used properly.

FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS’ INSTRUCTIONS.

Read accompanying literature before using a new appliance. Keep the instructions handy to follow for operation and care.

HAVE DEFECTIVE APPLIANCES CHECKED.

If appliances spark, overheat or stall, pull the plug and have them checked by a dealer or an appliance service person.

DISCONNECT APPLIANCES BEFORE CLEANING.

Never touch plugged-in appliances when your hands are wet. Unplug them before cleaning.

DON’T PRY TOAST FROM A PLUGGED-IN TOASTER.

To avoid getting a shock, unplug the toaster before prying with a fork or knife.

ELECTRICITY AND WATER DON’T MIX.

Radios, hairdryers or any electrical appliance are a hazard near water. Even if your hands are wet or you’re standing on a wet floor, you could get a shock or other injury.

Do-It-Yourself Safely

DON’T TOUCH POWER LINES.

Have help to install CB, TV or any antenna. To touch or go near to a hydro wire with a ladder or antenna could cause serious injury. Antennas should be installed well away from power lines... at least the distance of the height of the antenna plus 10 feet.

TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN WORKING NEAR POWER LINES.

	Don’t come close to or touch power lines, yourself or with equipment. Anyone touching even just the equipment could be seriously injured.
	Before digging, call your local hydro at 271-4700 to locate underground power lines. To cut through one is dangerous and could black out an entire area.

USE PROPER CORDS.

Power tools should have either a three-prong plug or double insulation. If you need an extension cord, use a proper three-wire, grounded cord. Keep all tools and cords in good condition and never use power tools on wet grass or other wet surfaces.

HAVE WIRING INSPECTED

When your home was built, the entire electrical installation was inspected to ensure that it measured up to the Electrical Safety Code. Keep your wiring safe. If you add to it, have an application for electrical inspection completed and processed through your nearest Ontario Hydro inspection office. To find out more about Electrical Inspection, read the information on this website.

PLANT TREES CLEAR OF POWER LINES.

When planting trees, make sure that they won’t grow up into power lines. If you do have a tree growing into lines, call your local hydro office. Don’t attempt to prune or fell it yourself. If it falls onto a line, it could be fatal.


Safety Outdoors

NEVER TOUCH A DOWNED WIRE.

Even if the wire appears dead, touching it could be fatal. If your car hits a hydro pole and dislodges wires, stay inside until a hydro crew removes the wire. If you must get out because of fire, jump free with both feet together and without touching the car and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away using small steps. Do not return to the car for any reason and warn others to keep away.

STAY CLEAR OF POWER LINES.

	Watch out for wires when sailing or launching your boat. A mast or antenna touching the lines could be fatal. Enjoy sports like parachuting, hang gliding or sky diving in an open field, well away from power lines.
	By law, all outdoor electrical outlets should be supplied from circuits equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's) for extra protection. This is especially important in damp locations where electrical shocks are usually more severe and a normal fuse or circuit breaker doesn’t provide enough protection.

DON’T BRING APPLIANCES NEAR WATER.

Electric radios, barbeques, TVs, clocks and other appliances should be kept well away from swimming pools. And, swimming pools should never be near power lines. A long-handled skimmer could be fatal if it touches outdoor lighting or power lines.


Teach Your Children About These Dangers

Electricity is safe, provided it is used properly. Teach children to play safely... away from hydro wires.

	Remind youngsters to avoid areas marked "KEEP OUT" or "DANGER" and never to poke or push things into electrical equipment or outlets.
	Warn children of the danger of touching power lines. If kites or model airplanes touch overhead lines, even touching their string or control wire may cause serious injury.
	Climbing hydro poles, towers, fences surrounding electrical equipment or trees near power lines is extremely dangerous. Children could fall or touch a wire and be injured or killed.
	Talk about these safety rules with your children, and visit the "Play Safe... Stay Safe" page on this web site and take our Safety Quiz with them!

What To Do In Case Of A Power Failure

Even as reliable as Stratford's electrical system is, we could experience a power outage. Weather, particularly ice or snow, or an accident such as a car hitting a hydro pole or a construction crew cutting through a hydro cable could cause a power failure.

If the power is off in the homes or apartments around you, then it is a break in the system and hydro crews will repair it. If the failure blacks out your entire house - but just your home - then it could be your main switch. Don't attempt to repair it yourself. Call the P.U.C or a licensed electrician.

If you do experience a failure, here are a few suggestions:

EMERGENCY CUPBOARD

You should have a cupboard stocked with such items as batteries, matches, a flash-light, candles and holder, or a portable battery lamp. A fondue pot and fuel might be a good idea, as well as a transistor radio and a non-electric alarm clock. Never use a barbeque indoors; charcoal emits carbon monoxide which can cause asphyxiation.


SAFETY CHECK

To avoid damage when the power resumes, turn off or unplug the stereo, TV set, and all other appliances.


FROZEN FOOD

	Food will keep frozen for 24 to 48 hours in a full freezer. Ice cream is an exception and should be discarded, but most bakery products can be refrozen. A partially filled freezer will keep most food frozen for 12 to 24 hours. Meat which has ice crystals remaining in it may be refrozen.
	Think about what you want before opening the refrigerator, so that more cold air doesn’t escape than necessary. Most refrigerator food will keep for 24 hours. Dairy products such as sour cream, milk, cream, cottage cheese and yogurt should be discarded after 6 to 8 hours.


GENERAL TIPS

	Leave one light on so you know when the power is restored.
	Turn off water to the clothes washer and dishwasher.
	A small bicycle pump can supply air to the fish tank.


WHEN POWER RESUMES

	Check to make sure the freezer and refrigerator are working and what food can be refrozen. Reset clocks and check automatic timers and alarms. Plug in only the most essential appliances. Waiting 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting everything gives the electrical system time to stabilize.
	And finally, return all "emergency" items to the cupboard.


How To Handle An Electrical Emergency

ELECTRICAL FIRE

	Never use water on electrical equipment or wires. Unplug equipment it possible and use baking soda or a recommended dry chemical fire extinguisher.
	If you require assistance call 911 or the Stratford Fire Department at 271-3211.


RESCUE

	If someone inside a building receives a shock from a faulty appliance and is still in contact with it, don’t touch the appliance before unplugging it from the wall socket.
	If a person or vehicle touches an outdoor wire, don’t touch either the person or vehicle. Call 911 to get help and Festival Hydro at 271-4700 to get the power shut off.


FIRST AID

	Once the victim is free from the power line or faulty appliance, begin first aid. If unconscious, and either not breathing or breathing erratically. use artificial respiration immediately... every second counts. Have someone call for an ambulance. Don’t leave the victim unattended.
	If in shock, reassure and keep the victim warm, but don’t apply heat. Loosen clothing about the neck, chest and waist. If thirsty, give sips or water, tea, coffee or other liquids except alcohol.
	If burned, avoid handling the affected area. Do not apply lotions, break blisters or remove burned clothing. If possible, cover the burns including clothing with a prepared dry sterile dressing. Where the skin is blistering, bandage loosely otherwise apply bandages firmly. Don’t use gauze, cotton wool or other material that is likely to stick.
	Place an unconscious person gently on one side (St. John Ambulance recovery position) and don't attempt to give them anything to eat or drink.
	In an emergency call 911, or for ambulance service call 273-1340.

Stratford Emergency Phone Numbers:

CALL 911
OR
Ambulance: 273-1340
Fire Department: 273-3211
Festival Hydro: 271-4700