Keep dorm rooms safe from electrical hazards

   Parents all across the Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative service area are sending their children off to college at this time of the year. Parents worry about all kinds of problems their children may encounter away from home but one problem they might not consider is fire safety in the dorms or other student housing.

 According to Underwriters Laboratory (UL), an average of 1,800 fires occurs in dormitories and campus housing each year in the United States. Careless smoking, unattended candles and cooking, as well as overloaded extension cords and power outlets are the most common culprits. Many college residences were built before new technologies arrived, such as computers, CD players, and microwaves. Wiring in older buildings simply cannot handle the additional electrical load. Therefore, it is especially important to follow university rules with regard to electrical use and not overload circuits.

 The following tips will help college students stay safe this fall:

• Do not overload extension cords, power strips or outlets.
• In rooms with old-fashioned, two-prong outlets, adaptors should be used. Follow directions carefully with the adaptor.
• Get a power strip with an over-current protector. It will shut off power automatically if there is too much power being drawn. For power sensitive electronics, make it a surge suppressor strip.
• Follow the wattage instructions on appliances. Some appliances may indicate amps rather then watts. If so, use this simple formula to figure out the wattage: amps x volts = wattage. If the appliance uses five amps at 125 volts, its wattage rating is 625 watts. If you are using an extension cord with two or more appliances, add the wattage rating for all appliances to determine if the cord is sufficient.
• If an outlet is hot to the touch, unplug appliances immediately and notify the resident assistant.
• Do not connect multiple extension cords together.
• Extension cords are only for temporary use.
• Do not route extension cords under carpet or doors. Do not staple or puncture extension cords.
• Look for the UL mark on electrical products.
• Use light bulbs with the correct wattage for lamps. The wattage specification should be indicated near the bulb socket.
• If you use halogen lamps, make sure they are updated. All halogen lamps should be designed with a mesh guard to prevent contact with the bulb and an automatic tip over switch. Some college campuses have outlawed the use of halogen lamps.

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