Indoor Electric Safety
Be sure you know where your home's control panel and main power switch are located. You can shut off all power in an emergency by turning the main switch off. You can also shut off power to specific devices or areas in your home by switching off the correct circuit breaker fuse. An electrical short or an overload will "blow a fuse" or trip a circuit breaker.
It is easy to tell if a fuse is blown by looking at the metal strip on the top of it. If this strip is broken, the fuse has been blown by an overload of electrical equipment. Try to find the problem and correct it. Then, turn the main switch off, replace the burnt out fuse with a new one and turn the main switch back on. If the new fuse also blows, check again for the cause. If you are unable to determine the cause, call an electrician.
Once the problem has been fixed, switch the circuit breaker back on. Remember to call an electrician if you cannot solve the original problem or the circuit trips back to the "off" position.
An electrical "short circuit" could be due to frayed or broken wires. Because it is no longer properly insulated, it could cause shocks, burns and possibly a fire. Replace frayed wires immediately.
If someone is given an electrical shock from an appliance, turn off the appliance at the appropriate outlet or turn off the main switch. Do not touch the person or the equipment involved. Do not attempt to free the victim with a broom or other object as there may be contaminants (dirt, paint, water) on the item which could conduct electricity, resulting in you becoming a victim as well.