Few things are more refreshing on a hot day than cool water—in the shower or a pool, under a sprinkler, or even from a garden hose.
Yet few things are as dangerous around the home as water that comes into contact with electricity. Some tips:
- Keep electrically powered toys, appliances, grills—anything with a plug—far from the pool, bathtub, sprinkler system, sink and hoses.
- If an electric toy or appliance lands in water, don’t touch it—and teach your children the same. Electricity travels quickly through water, so touching anything electrical that’s wet can lead to a shock or worse—electrocution.
- Have an electrician check the electrical connections to pools, hot tubs, fountains and other outdoor water sources. They should be grounded.
- Do not use extension cords to reach outlets for washers, dishwashers, air conditioners or other appliances in wet spaces. Those appliances should be plugged into grounded outlets.
- Teach everyone in your household where the home’s circuit breakers are located and how to switch them off during an emergency.
