Safety Tips: Air Conditioners and Cooling Equipment
Hot summer weather means turning to your air conditioner, fan or cooling equipment for relief. Did you know that contact with electric currents from air conditioning units accounts for a significant number of electrocutions and electrical injuries each year?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 15 percent of consumer product-related electrocutions occur while someone is attempting to service or repair their appliance.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends that you contact a licensed and qualified professional anytime you need electrical work done in your home.
If you need installation, repair or maintenance work on your air conditioning, cooling or heating equipment, you should contact a technician.
Be sure to take extra precaution to properly secure your unit from electrical hazards as home fires and fatal electrocutions occur each year that involve an air conditioning unit or fan.
An estimated average of 4,038 home fires involving electrical failure or malfunction were caused by air conditioning units or fans each year between 2012-2016, according the National Fire Protection Association.
Keep safety in mind when selecting a cooling equipment for your home. Here are some electrical safety tips to consider:
- Ensure your equipment has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., MET Laboratories Inc. or NSF International.
- Have your electric-power equipment inspected and maintained regularly for safety.
- Be sure to have a licensed professional install and service any electrical equipment in your home.
- Check your fan or cooling unit periodically to make sure cords and plugs are in good condition.
For more electrical safety tips, visit our website on.sce.com/staysafe.
