The latest figures from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicate that there were 400 total accidental electrocutions in 2000, 150 of which related to consumer products. Twenty-nine of those related to large appliances like air conditioners, pumps, water heaters, furnaces and clothes dryers. Another 22 involved ladders contacting overhead power lines. Seventeen involved small appliances such as microwave ovens, electric fans, extension cords and televisions, 15 involved power tools, 12 involved lighting equipment, 10 involved contact with installed household wiring. Another 30 involved a variety of other products such as sports and recreational equipment, lawn and garden equipment, antennas, pipes, poles and fences.

But that is only part of the story. The CPSC estimates there is an annual average of 165,380 electrical-related home structure fires, taking an average of 910 lives, injuring nearly 7,000 and causing nearly $1.7 billion in property damage.

Consumers should check for problems with their home electrical systems, and be ever vigilant for electrical hazards around the home and the workplace, like cracked or fraying cords, overheating cords and wall plates, and the presence of overhead and buried power lines when working outdoors. Check outlets and circuits to be sure they aren't overloaded. Make sure to use only the proper wattage light bulbs in light fixtures and lamps. Use extension cords only on a temporary basis, and be sure they are properly rated for their intended use. And always follow appropriate safety precautions and manufacturer's instructions on all electrical items.

Consumers should also remember to test their smoke alarms and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) monthly. Replace smoke detector batteries twice a year. Make sure GFCI protection covers all circuits that come near water sources, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors, and consider it for whole house coverage. Consider also having arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) installed in your home's electrical panel, particularly for older homes.

Consumers can use ESFI's In Home Electrical Safety Check and Outdoor Electrical Safety Check booklets to conduct an electrical safety audit of their homes. And visit www.electrical-safety.org for all these and other electrical safety tips.

The third prong on a plug provides a path to ground for electricity that is straying or leaking from a product. This helps protect the equipment and can help prevent electric shock. Consumers should never remove or bend the third prong to fit a two-slot outlet. An adapter may be used safely only if the grounding wire or tab is physically connected to an electrical ground. A safer approach is to find or have installed an appropriate three-slot outlet.

A polarized plug is a plug with one large or wide prong and one narrow one. It ensures that the plug is inserted correctly in a socket for proper flow of electric current, and reduces the risk of electrical shock. Consumers should never force a polarized plug into a non-polarized outlet, or shave the wide prong down to fit. Use an adapter or find an appropriate polarized outlet.

The large box-like device found on the ends of some appliance cords could be an appliance leakage circuit interrupter (ALCI), an immersion detection circuit interrupter (IDCI) or a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Though they work in different ways, they all protect the user against accidental electric shock and electrocution by acting immediately to shut off power to the appliance upon the detection of a "leak" of electric current as may happen when a hair dryer falls into a sink full of water. Even with these devices, if that happens, unplug the device or shut off power to the circuit before reaching in to retrieve the appliance.

Before purchasing or selecting an extension cord for use, consumers should consider how the cord will be used. Make sure the rating on the cord is the same as or higher than the number of watts needed by the product that will be plugged into the cord. Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis, and unplugged and safely stored after every use. Outside the home, use only cords rated for outdoor use, and consider using a portable GFCI.

The outlet, or receptacle, is perhaps the most commonly used and least thought of device in the home. Every electrical appliance, tool, computer and entertainment center component we use is powered through one. We just plug in and forget about it, assuming all our power needs will be met. And that's true if we follow some simple but important safety principles.

• Check outlets regularly for problems, including over-heating, loose connections, reversed polarity, and corrosion. Consider having an electrical inspection performed by a qualified, licensed electrician to help determine the integrity of your outlets and your entire electrical system.

• Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, which lead to arcing and fire.

• Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances. Never plug more than one high-wattage appliance in at a time in each.

• Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.

• Check for any hot or discolored outlet wall plates. Look from across the room; sometimes you'll see darkened area in a tear-drop shape around and above the outlet that may indicate dangerous heat buildup at the connections.

• Warm to the touch is okay, hot is not. If an outlet or switch wall plate is hot to the touch, immediately shut off the circuit and have it professionally checked.

• Replace any missing or broken wall plates.

We can sometimes get so caught up in the safety awareness of our appliances and lamps that we forget about the safety principles that relate to its power cord. An appliance can look like it's in good operating order and yet still represent a hazard if its cord is damaged.

• Make sure all power cords and extension cords are in good condition, not frayed, cracked or cut. If the power cord to a lamp or appliance is damaged, take the item to an authorized service center, or cut the power cord and dispose of the item safely. Cutting the cord helps ensure that no one else will pick up the item and take the hazard home with them.

• Never attempt to repair or splice a cut cord yourself. "Electrical" tape, as commonly referred to-usually black vinyl tape -is not rated for the heat generated by electricity running through wires. The tape will melt and burn.

• Make sure all electrical items, including appliances, extension cords and surge suppressors, are certified by a nationally recognized independent testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), CSA, ETL or MET.

• Do not coil power cords when in use.

• Do not place power cords in high traffic areas or under carpets, rugs or furniture.

• Power cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard, or another object.

• Make sure appliances are off before connecting cords to outlets.

• Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong plug fit a two-prong outlet; this could lead to an electrical shock.

• Never force a plug into an outlet. Plugs should fit securely into outlets, but should not require much force to fit.

• Make sure to fully insert the plug into the outlet.

• Unplug appliances when not in use to conserve energy but also to minimize the opportunities for electric shock or fire.

Extension cords are temporary solutions only, and yet the majority of homes have at least one extension cord plugged in and left in place. Continual use can cause the insulation to rapidly deteriorate, creating a dangerous shock and fire hazard. In addition to the same safety tips that apply to power cords, keep the following principles in mind when using extension cords.

• Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring.

• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them.

• Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or tool being plugged into it.

• Assume 125W per amp when converting to determine if the extension cord you intend to use is properly rated for the appliance being connected to it.

Power strips give us the ability to plug more products into the same outlet, which can be a help but also a hindrance to safety if used inappropriately. Power strips and surge suppressors don't provide more power to a location, just more access to the same limited capacity of the circuit into which it is connected. The circuit likely also still serves a variety of other outlets and fixtures in addition to the multiple electrical items you might be serving with the power strip. In addition to the tips above, keep these safety principles in mind when using power strips and surge suppressors.

• Be sure you are not overloading the circuit. Know capacity of the circuit and the power requirements of all the electrical items plugged into the power strip and into all the other outlets on the circuit as well as the light fixtures on the circuit.

• A heavy reliance on power strips is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them.

• Understand that a surge suppressor only protects the items plugged into it, not back along the circuit into which it is connected.

• Surge suppressors can manage the small surges and spikes sometimes generated by the turning on and off of appliances. They may even protect against a large surge generated from outside sources like lightning or problems along the transmission lines to the neighborhood and house. In the event of a large surge or spike, the surge suppressor is a one-time-use protector and will likely have to be replaced.

• Consider purchasing surge suppressors with cable and phone jacks to provide the same protection to your phone, fax, computer modem and television.

• Not all power strips are surge suppressors, not all surge suppressors can handle the same load and events. Be sure the equipment you buy matches your needs.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)-which protect against accidental electric shock or electrocution by acting immediately to shut off the circuit if they sense a ground fault, or "leak" of current off the circuit-have been in homes since the early 70s on circuits that come within six feet of water. Homeowners, however, should consider having GFCI protection throughout the home with the exception of circuits that serve major appliances, such as air conditioning units, furnaces and heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, and laundry machines. Appliances like those may send a surge through the circuit that can trip the GFCI unintentionally. Remember also to test your GFCIs monthly and after every major electrical storm.

Newer arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can help prevent fires that often result from problems at the outlets, switches and frayed and cracked cords connected to the circuits. The AFCI senses the particular signature of an arc-where electricity has to jump a gap-and, like the GFCI, acts immediately to shut off the circuit, thus depriving the hazard the opportunity to start a fire. AFCIs are currently required by the National Electrical Code(r) in new home construction in the bedroom circuit, but should be considered in all homes, particularly older homes, and in all circuits that don't serve a major appliance.

Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong plug fit a two-conductor outlet; this could lead to an electrical shock. NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF IT DOESN'T FIT. Plugs should fit securely into outlets. Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances. Replace any missing or broken wall plates. Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children. Check for any hot or discolored outlet wall plates; that may indicate dangerous heat buildup at the connections.

Make sure all power cords and extension cords are in good condition, not frayed or cracked. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard, or another object. Do not place cords in high traffic areas or under carpets, rugs or furniture. Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring. Make sure extension cords and electrical products are listed by an independent testing lab such as UL, CSA, ETL or MET labs, and are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or tool being plugged into it.

Check the wattage of all bulbs in lamps and light fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the lamp or fixture. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended; if you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely-loose bulbs may overheat.

Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct size current rating for their circuit. If you do not know the correct size, have an electrician identify and label the size to be used. Always replace a fuse with the same size fuse. Create a circuit map that clearly identifies all outlets, fixtures and the major appliances each circuit serves.

Make sure your appliances are all certified by an independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, ETL, or MET Labs, and read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly. Look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs, and connectors. Use a surge protector bearing the seal of an independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, ETL or MET labs.

Space heaters are meant to supply supplemental heat. Keep space heaters at least 3 ft. away from any combustible material such as bedding, clothing, draperies, furniture and rugs. Don't use space heaters in rooms where children are unsupervised and remember to turn off and unplug when not in use. Plug space heaters directly into the outlet; do not use an extension cord. Use a circuit with as little else on it as possible; space heaters can take a lot of power.

Halogen floor lamps operate at much higher temperatures than a standard incandescent light bulb. Never place a halogen floor lamp where it could come in contact with draperies, clothing or other combustible materials. Be sure to turn the lamp off whenever you leave the room for an extended period of time and never use torchiere lamps in children's bedrooms or playrooms. Floor lamps that use cooler, more energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs are available.

Electric-powered mowers and other tools should not be used in the rain, on wet grass, or in wet conditions. Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers before each use for frayed power cords, broken plugs, and cracked or broken housings. If damaged, stop using it immediately. Repair it or replace it. Be sure you have GFCI protection on all outdoor outlets; portable GFCIs are available from most hardware and home improvement stores. Always use an extension cord marked for outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your tools. Remember to unplug all portable power tools when not in use. When using ladders, watch out for overhead wires and power lines.

During an electrical storm, do not use appliances (i.e. hairdryers, toasters, radios) or telephones (except in an emergency). Do not take a bath or shower. Keep batteries on hand for flashlights and radios in case of a power outage. And use surge protectors on electronic devices and appliances. For areas with a high occurrence of lightning, consider installing a surge arrestor for whole house protection.

Don't leave plugged-in appliances where they might come into contact with water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, NEVER reach in to pull it out-even if it's turned off. First turn off the power source at the panelboard and then unplug the appliance. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person.