Read these 4 Safety Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Home Improvement tips and hundreds of other topics.
A fire extinguisher (or three) could be the best gift you will ever give a loved one. Everyone should have one in the kitchen, one in the garage, and one in the basement.
When choosing an extension cord for outdoor use, say, for the hedge clippers or electric weed eater, buy a cord with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter built into the end. The GFI will shut off the power if you accidentally cut the cord or drop it in water.
When buying an extension cord, decide what it will be used for before choosing which cord. Wire size is very important. A 14 gauge cord is rated for a maximum of 15 amps, and 18 gauge cords are rated for a maximum of 10 amps. Always buy a larger gauge cord than you think you will need.
Another important factor is the length of the cord. Due to a phenomenon called Voltage Drop, you get less current out of a cord than you put in. The longer the cord, the greater the voltage drop. Buy the shortest cord you can get by with.
Guru Spotlight |
Carma Spence-Pothitt |