GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Electrical Safety
Almost every electrical accident and hazard is preventable except for those that are caused by acts of nature (storms). In order to avoid accidents and potential injuries some basic precautions can be taken.

How Shocks Occur
Electricity will always seek the shortest path to the ground by attempting to find a conductor, such as metal, wet wood, water - or your body! Since your body is 70% water, if you touch an energized bare wire or faulty appliance while you are grounded, electricity will instantly pass through you to the ground, causing a harmful or potentially fatal shock.

Employee Safety
Milton Hydro employees maintain a high level of safety awareness in their daily work. Continuous training, new safety features in technology and safe working practices all contribute to a hazard-free work environment. Our first concern is always the safety of our employees and our customers.

Operation Pal
Milton Hydro does its best to assist those in the community. In support of this service Milton Hydro and other Utilities in Ontario have joined with Operation PAL (Public Alert).
Our employees are trained to be on the alert for:

• People in obvious distress
• Lost children
• Suspicious activities
• Crimes in progress

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

• Use plastic safety caps on unused outlets accessible to children
• Don't plug too many appliances into one outlet. Overheating could result
• Check for outlets with loose fitting plugs which can overheat and lead to fire
• Replace broken outlet plates

GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)

A GFCl provides split-second electrical protection from potentially fatal shocks caused by ground faults in electrical appliances and tools. A ground fault permits electrical current to flow from the live wire to the ground through the nearest conductor, which could be the human body. Faults can be as a result of worn insulation, moisture or deterioration in tools and unsafe wiring.

When electrical current escapes through faulty tools or insulation, it seeks the path of least resistance. Your body can become part of that electrical path or circuit. If you touch a fault while standing on a wet surface, or while touching a sink, tap or other conductive material, your body becomes a good path to the ground. This can cause serious injury or death.

GFCI's monitor the flow of current to and from appliances. If there's an imbalance in the flow, current may be leaking and travelling through you, and the GFCI will immediately stop the flow of electricity to prevent serious shock and injury to you or damage to equipment.

ELECTRICAL CORDS

• Always keep cords away from cutting blades of saws, lawn mowers and other tools.
• Replace, don't attempt to fix cords that have been cut or damaged. Any exposed strand of wire could cause a shock or burn. It's not worth it!
• Never pull out a plug by the cord.
• If a cord or plug is warm or hot to touch - unplug it immediately.
• Check wires, extension cords and appliances for signs of wearing.
• Never place electrical cords across traffic areas or under carpets. This could cause unnecessary wearing of the cord.
• Never bend or remove the ground (the third prong on a plug). It is designed to help prevent shock and may save your life.
• Don't use extension cords as permanent wiring as they are not designed for it. Using extension cords as permanent wiring indicates that your home wiring should be updated.
• Unplug and put away extension cords that are not being used. This will reduce the risk of children chewing on it or playing with it.
• Do not overload an extension cord. Recognize the signs of overheating, distortion, or discolouration and unplug the cord. Avoid overloading by first checking the cords electrical capacity.
• Never puncture insulation of electrical cords by nailing them to any surfaces.

APPLIANCES & TOOLS

• Ensure appliances have an approval label from an authorized agency, such as the Canadian Standards Association. This indicates that the product meets the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. By law, no piece of electrical equipment can be connected to a source of power unless it is approved (Ontario Electrical Safety Code Rule 2-022).
• Never touch appliances, wires or electrical switches with wet hands or feet.
• Turn your appliances off during a lightning storm.
• Do not use electric power tools in the rain, on wet surfaces, or near the pool.
• Never use any electrical appliance in the tub or shower.
• Before sticking anything in a toaster to pry out the toast, pull out the plug.
• Make sure to unplug any appliances before you clean them. Clean appliances are more efficient and safer.
• Check cords for damage that could expose small wires.
• Keep combustible materials away from heat-producing appliances.

INDOOR SAFETY TIPS

• To ensure safety, wiring must be installed by a licensed electrician and inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority (formerly Ontario Hydro Inspection) to ensure it meets the Electrical Safety Code. To contact the Electrical Safety Authority phone 1-877-372-7233 or visit their web site at www.esainspection.net. Your house or apartment may be inadequately wired if:
  1. Lights dim and motors slow down when an appliance goes on.
  2. Fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently.
  3. Toasters or irons fail to heat properly.
  4. The television picture shrinks.
• If you are experiencing any of these problems, contact your electrician.
• Turn off main power source before replacing a fuse or adjusting circuit breakers.
• Recognize warning signals that could lead to fuse box or circuit breaker problems. Overheating, discoloration or rusting in the fuse box, or flickering lights are danger signals, so contact your electrician immediately.
• Keep portable heaters away from upholstery and other combustible materials.
• Ensure that fire alarms are well located and in working condition at all times.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in your home and check it every six months. Use a class "C" all-purpose extinguisher on electrical fires. Never use water on an electrical fire.
• Do not replace a bulb with one of higher wattage that is more than the fixture is designed for.

ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS

Unsafe wiring can be hazardous to the health and safety of you and your family by causing shocks, fires, and other electrical hazards. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code exists to minimize the dangers caused by unsafe wiring and unsafe electrical products. An electrical inspection must be conducted by a qualified Electrical Inspector to ensure that your home's wiring complies with the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

When Should Electrical Inspections Be Performed?

An electrical inspection must be conducted anytime you do anything within your home or business concerning the electrical wiring.

You need to apply for an electrical inspection for:

• Upgrades to your electrical service
• Installation of new equipment such as heat pumps, water heaters, air conditioners, swimming pools, whirlpools, saunas, etc.
• Installation of outlets, switches, light fixtures, baseboard heaters, smoke detectors (not including battery operated types), exhaust fans, etc.

CHANGING A FUSE

• Before you attempt to change a fuse, ensure that all appliances on the overloaded circuit are unplugged and that the main switch or breaker is turned to the "off" position.
• Remember to take a flashlight with you to change the fuse, as you should never do so in the dark.
• Avoid standing in moisture while replacing the fuse.
• Do not replace the fuse with any type of metal object including a coin. This eliminates the protection that a fuse is designed to give and could cause a fire.
• Be sure to use the proper size fuse for your circuit. For lighting and outlet circuits, use 15 amp fuses. Circuits for larger appliances will require higher rated fuses.
• Fuses marked 'P' or 'D' are heat sensitive and may blow if there is overheating in the panel board. These types of fuses, unlike regular fuses, will minimize the possibility of a fire in the fuse box. Use the 'D' fuse (time delay or dual element fuses) for circuits that have motorized appliances. The 'P' fuse is recommended for circuits to appliances that heat but aren't motorized.
• When you install the fuses, make sure they are screwed in tightly.

ELECTRICAL FIRES

Fire Precautions

• Plan family escape routes before you are faced with the situation.
• Have operating smoke detectors in main living rooms and hallways serving other rooms.
• Have a fire extinguisher available for emergencies.
• Have emergency numbers handy - close to the telephone.
• Have rescue equipment (rope & ladders) nearby.

What To Do In Case Of A Fire

• Evacuate the house immediately.
• Don't open any doors if they are hot to the touch.
• Call the fire department from the neighbour's.
• Do not go back into the house until the fire department has given permission.

OUTDOOR SAFETY TIPS

• Only use electrical equipment designed for outdoor use.
• Be sure to install outdoor outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's).
• Make sure your roof top antenna is grounded and away from power lines.
• Whenever possible, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder for outdoor work as aluminum ladders can be dangerous around electrical lines.
• STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED WIRES and keep away from puddles and fences that are near the wires. Call Milton Hydro at (905)876-4611 if you encounter any downed lines.
• If someone is shocked, do not touch them! First unplug the appliance or turn off power at the electrical panel and call 911 for assistance.
• If your vehicle comes into contact with a hydro pole and there are downed hydro lines nearby, stay inside the vehicle until help arrives. If you must vacate your vehicle, remember that there could be electricity running through the ground. To exit the vehicle, jump as far as possible without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time, keeping both feet together. Then hop away from the area keeping your feet together. Do not walk normally!
• When working near overhead power lines, carry ladders and other tall objects parallel to the ground to prevent contact.

CONDITION OF POLE LINES IMPORTANT

You are the owner of the pole line located on your property, you have the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that it is a secure and safe installation. Improper maintenance could result in electrical, physical or fire hazards. With this in mind, we recommend an inspection of your pole line be conducted every five years. The Electrical Safety Authority is the legal enforcement authority in public safety matters pertaining to electricity and they can be reached at 1-877-372-7233 or visit their web site at www.esasafe.com. They would be pleased to provide you with information and/or inspection for the safety of your pole line.

SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN

• Never climb utility poles, transmission towers or fences around substations.
• Never touch electrical outlets with your fingers or with objects.
• Never play with electrical cords, wires or switches and keep them away from heat and water.
• If you are in contact with water never touch anything electrical like a light switch or hairdryer.
• Don't place cords where people may trip on them and don't place them under furniture. The cords could fray or kink.
• Don't pull on cords to unplug them.
• Never play around electrical wires or equipment.
• Stay away from areas marked DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE.
• If climbing trees, stay away from those near power lines.
• Never throw objects at wires or utility poles.
• Keep away from electrical utility boxes (large green boxes). They contain high-voltage equipment that can cause electrocution if tampered with.
• Stay out of open areas and away from trees during an electrical storm. Go indoors.
• Stay in the car during a storm because the rubber tires stop electricity from passing through it, if the car is struck by lightning or a fallen cable.
• Turn off lamps when changing light bulbs.
• Do not put your fingers in a light bulb socket.
• Keep combustible materials away from lamps or heating devices.
• Disconnect appliances before cleaning.
• Tell someone if you see a frayed electrical cord.
• Call the fire department in case of an electrical fire. If safe to do so, unplug the appliance and use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to douse the flames. Never use water!
• Call 911 if you see a person who has been or is being electrocuted - they may be unable to release an electrical wire or appliance - do not attempt to touch them as they may be carrying the flow of electricity.
• Don't swim during an electrical storm.
• Don't plug in electrical appliances in the bathroom unless specific safety receptacles have been installed.

BASIC RULES OF KITE FLYING

1. Keep kites away from the power lines.
2. Never use wire or metal on kites.
3. If your kite gets caught on hydro lines, leave it alone and call (905)876-4611.
4. Don't fly metallic balloons outside. If they touch power lines, power outages could result.