There are many safe practices to follow which can prevent electrical hazards and injuries, says the December issue of Safety in Mind, the UWindsor health and safety newsletter.

“Even changing a light bulb in a lamp without unplugging it first can be hazardous,” says the lead article. “Coming in contact with the live part of the socket could be fatal.”

The publication lists common injuries resulting from contact with electrical current, including shock or electrocution, burns, and falls. It offers these tips to avoid injury:

• Always inspect power cords and plugs prior to use. Discard if worn or damaged.
• Never carry equipment by the power cord.
• Always pull from the plug, not the cord. Pulling the cord causes wear and may cause a shock.
• Never plug multiple extension cords or power strips into each other.
• Always keep power cords away from heat, water and oil. They can damage the insulation and cause a shock.

Safety in Mind is distributed online but formatted for printing and posting in work areas and on bulletin boards. Read the entire newsletter at www.uwindsor.ca/safety/safetytalks.