Ameren Offers Holiday Safety Tips
November 30 2007 - 5:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
PEORIA, SPRINGFIELD and DECATUR, Ill., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Ameren Illinois utilities want everyone's holiday season to be safe
and joyous by remembering that some of the things that make the
holidays special also pose safety hazards. According to national
safety statistics, hospital emergency rooms treat thousands of
people each year for injuries resulting from falls, cuts and shocks
and from fires caused by holiday lights, decorations and Christmas
trees. The National Fire Protection Association reports that almost
half of all Christmas tree fires are caused by an electrical
problem or malfunction -- the remainders are caused by placing a
heat source too close to the tree or by someone playing with fire
or another heat source. To help make the holiday season safe, use
electricity and natural gas safely. The key to staying safe is
watching for and correcting problems with cords and faulty sockets
and handling wiring with care. Jerking on a wire can break
insulation and damage plugs. Other safety tips for electricity: --
Inspect all holiday lights for broken or cracked sockets. Look for
frayed or bare wires, loose connections or damaged plugs. Discard
damaged light sets. Never overload electrical circuits or outlets.
Use Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) certified surge protector
strips if multiple outlets are required. -- Keep holiday lights
away from toddlers. Push the wires inward toward the center of the
tree and clip wires securely to branches. -- For outdoor lighting,
use UL-certified lights approved for outdoor use. Also, use heavy
duty UL-certified outdoor extension cords. Plug outdoor cords into
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. It is recommended
that GFCI outlets be used for indoor lights, as well. Stay clear of
and avoid contact with overhead electricity wires. Keep electrical
connections off the ground and away from water. -- Never leave
Christmas tree lights on when away from home. -- Do not place cords
under rugs or carpets, where they can be walked upon or where
someone can trip over them. -- Use flame-resistant ornaments and
decorations around the Christmas tree. -- When selecting a live
tree, make certain the branches are fresh and the trunk is sticky
with sap. Needles should bend, not break, and should be hard to
pull off branches. Keep the tree holder base filled with water.
Keep trees away from fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, radiators,
heat registers and other sources of heat. -- If you select an
artificial tree, select one that has been tested and labeled as
being fire-resistant. Trees with built-in electric systems should
have the UL certification label. Safety tips for natural gas: --
Natural gas furnace owners should be aware of, and take precautions
against, carbon monoxide poisoning dubbed the "silent killer." This
advice also should be heeded by those with fireplaces, wood-burning
stoves, natural gas/propane water heaters and all fossil fuel space
heaters. -- Illinois law requires that carbon monoxide detectors be
placed in homes and apartments. -- To help avoid the possibility of
carbon monoxide poisoning, it is recommended that a qualified
plumber or heating professional annually inspect and clean furnace
systems. Special attention needs to be paid to the flue. A rusty or
loose fitting flue may cause a vent to malfunction. Improper
venting of a furnace may result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Flues
that also vent through walls must be clear of snow, leaves and
other types of blockage to prevent Carbon Monoxide from backing
into the home. -- Never hang any item from a natural gas or propane
pipe. The added weight could pull down the pipe. -- Never use the
kitchen oven as a heating source. Natural gas ovens produce carbon
monoxide that will escape into the house when the oven door is left
open. In addition, the oven could overheat and cause a fire.
Cooking with the oven is safe because the oven cycles on and off
when the oven door is closed. -- Never store combustible materials
within a few feet of the furnace or water heater. -- Call a
qualified plumber or heating professional to inspect the furnace if
it cycles on or off with a loud noise or otherwise malfunctions.
Ignition should be smooth and quiet in a properly maintained
furnace. -- Natural gas contains an odorant that smells like rotten
eggs. If you notice a slight smell, follow your nose to the source
-- it may be something you can easily and safely correct, such as
an unlit pilot light or a partially ignited burner valve. If it's a
strong smell, or if it's a slight smell that does not go away, open
your windows and doors. Do not turn lights off or on. Do not
activate any electrical device, including cell phones and light
switches. Leave the building, and then call your Ameren Illinois
utility (AmerenCILCO, AmerenCIPS, AmerenIP) or "911" immediately.
Visit the Ameren Web site (http://www.ameren.com/) for more safety
tips or other information about Ameren. The Ameren Illinois
utilities serve 1.2 million electric and more than 840,000 natural
gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of Illinois. DATASOURCE:
Ameren Illinois CONTACT: Erica Abbett, +1-618-236-4329, or Natalie
Hemmer, +1-217-424-7541, or Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5284, or Leigh
Morris, +1-217-535-5228, all of Ameren Illinois Web site:
http://www.ameren.com/
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