The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-20

" A44pAC VA SO4NNAS$AA@D NAASSN with, that flatirons should be givel special care, and that wall socket Fatfer than lamp sockets be uset For connecting irons.
 Anticipating the holiday season MT. O'Rourke warns that sets o Christmas tree bulbs which ar purchased should bea- the seal O The Fire Underwriters. Bulbs II khese sets should fit well into thel sockets, he says, and care should o' kalen that ttnsel and metal decor ntions have no chance to come 1T contact with live parts of the socke' pr bulb.
 Electrical Inspector O'Rourke' nlst of suggestions follows:
 There are five fundamental principles for the safe uses of electrically in the home, which when followed will go far in elirn- mating shock and fire hazards. They are as follows:
 1-Use material suitable for the tob.
 2.-Keep electrical equipment in good order.
 3EDo not tamper with appli- ances, or other electrical equlp- ment. :,
 4-Ayoid handling electrical cords and devices with wet hands.
 5-Do not use electrical equip ment adjacent to water or other places, unless special precautions have been taken.
 The electrical equipment Of a house, will not be as safe as lt should be, if improper materials are used; or If the methods em- ployed are not in accordance with safe practice. ,
 Fortunately, a set of rules have been drawn up for safe practices in wiring, known as National Electrical Code, and IS part or the Electrical Code of the City or Waterbury.
 Proper use of electrical wires and equipment is just as import ant as proper materials and III. stallation. Allowing electrical equipment to fall into disrepar is responsible for most of the fires, charged against electric services
 It is well to remember that re- careless of external appearance tho wires behind the fixtures, are just as much alive, as they were originally, and require the same protection.
 Electrical wires must be main- tained in good order, If the install latjon is to be safe. It is sign of trouble when sockets hiss or layap flickers when plugs are loose in wall outlets - when wall switches fail to function; when the insulation on wires IS lm- paired: when 1t Is possible to get 8 shock from an appliance; or when an appliance fails to oper- ate or cause a blown fuse.
 Before any such failures can grow into a hazard 1t Is advisable to call @ licensed electrical con- tractor to have the trouble remedied. .
 Nearly everyone at some time has received slight shocks rom electrical equipment without any i'll effects. Under circumstances shocks can be dangerous, and lt is important to keep these cir- ctunstances in mind and avoid them.
 When hands are wet, the cor1- tact is much greater than when they are dry because water Is a good conductor of electricity.
 For safety sake appliances ana cords should be kept in good con- dition. Appliances should not pc used in locations where water ex- ists: such as close to bath tubs, or very close to kitchen sink. Elec- trio fixtures in bathrooms within reach should be porcelain or other insulatin material. Wall Switcnes and plates for convenient outlets shoalld be of insulating material insulating sockets should De used an lamp locations or in the vicin- aty of water. ,.
 Among the electrical equip naents, responsible for fires, cords are charged with the greater JOSS than any other class of electrical products. o Observe the cords carefully 10 ace If there is any possibility Of a copper wire, projecting through the insulating, to short circuit or caiise shock,