Whenever electricity is present,there are both electric fields and magnetic fields.Tese fields,when taken together,are refered to as EMF.They exit around electrical transmission lines,transformers on poles,house wiring,appliances,eletronic equipment.It was found in a study
in 1979 that children exposed to EMF with a strength of 2-3 milligauss(mG) were twice as likely to develope leukemia than children not exposed to level below 2.0mG.Is EMF dangerous to a person health?The complexity of the problem is compounded by the fact that the results vary according to frequency,intensity,field orientation,period of exposure,and weather the field is continuous or pulsed.The studies to date have not resulted in definite conculsion.They have shown that there is a statistical association between EMF and cancer.However,they have not shown that the fields are involved in causing cancer.
Both electric fields and magnetic fields are being studied.However,more attention is being focused on magnetic fields because they can penetrate through common objects as thick as concrete walls without losing their strenght whereas electric fields can be sheilded by materials like wood,aluminum,or insulation around wires.

Watch those cords and plugs

Only use extension cords listed by a recognized certification organization such as Underwriters Laboratories ("UL listed").
Don't drape electrical cords or wire over radiators or pipes or other metal objects.
Electrical wires are designed to carry only a certain amount of power. Overloading causes them to overheat wiring and creates a fire hazard. Make sure the cord is large enough to carry the electricity necessary to operate the tool or appliance.
Three-pronged plugs ensure proper grounding for appliances and power tools. Never cut off the third prong. Replace any older cords that have non-polarized receptacles and don't have safety closures. These cords expose young children to shock hazards, as well as mouth and burn injuries.
Extension cords used outside should be specifically marked for such use. Improper use could result in a fire or shock hazard.
To decide where there is a potential for a cord overload, check the wattage rating on the cord. Then, add up the wattage ratings of all the products that will be operating at the same time on the cord.
If the wattage rating on the cord is lower than the wattage rating of the products, eliminate one load, and check to see if the cord can handle the remaining products. If the wattage rating is not on the product, multiply the number of amps by 125.

Safe appliance use

Unplug small kitchen and household appliances when they aren't in use. This is because a voltage surge could turn them on or cause a short circuit.
Make sure the Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) seal of approval applies to the entire appliance, not just the plug or cord.
Read and follow the manufacturer's instruction manual.
Do not use extension cords with high-wattage appliances, like air conditioners, portable electric heaters and irons.
If an appliance cord becomes frayed or damaged, stop using it. Do not use appliances with patched cords.
Major appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, should be plugged into separate circuits.
Never touch an electric appliance while standing on a wet floor, or if your hands are wet.
Don't operate electrical appliances in or near water.
Immediately turn off and disconnect an appliance that sparks or stalls.
Always disconnect appliances before cleaning or servicing.
Always unplug appliances before cleaning or repairing them.

Avoiding hot water hazards

Keep water heaters at or below 120 degrees. If you can't change the setting, ask a qualified plumbing contractor to do it, or call your landlord and ask him or her to do it.
Install anti-scald devices in the kitchen sink, bath and shower. There are several on the market that will shut the water off when it exceeds a certain temperature.
You can also install pressure balance anti-scalding valves to keep the temperature of running water consistent even when the water pressure changes.

General home electric safety

Don't run extension cords under rugs or carpeting; replace frayed cords.
Avoid accidental starts by making sure the switch is off before plugging in the cord.
Pull the plug, not the cord, to disconnect an appliance.
Be careful not to overload circuits with too many plugs.
Install socket guards in all outlets not in use; this helps avoid injury to small children.
Ensure stairways are well lighted with switches at top and bottom.

Kitchen safety

Look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label when buying appliances.
Ensure that your stove and sink areas are well lighted.
Make sure your hands are dry before operating electrical appliances.
Replace damaged electrical appliances and extension cords.
Keep a fire extinguisher near your kitchen area.

Utility room safety

Know where your main gas and water valves are (and how to close them).
Clearly mark gas and water lines.
Know how to light the pilot light on gas appliances.
Call the gas company if you suspect a gas leak.
Know where your main electric switch is and how to turn it off.
Become familiar with the proper fuse ratings for your electrical circuits.
Ensure that fuses or circuit breakers are correctly labeled.
Always determine why a fuse has blown or a circuit breaker tripped and eliminate the cause before correcting.
Have extra fuses on hand, and turn off the main switch before changing a fuse.
Ensure your washer and dryer are electrically grounded.
Keep combustibles, such as clothes in closets, kept away from hot light bulbs.

Living room, family room and bedroom safety

Areas with heavy traffic should be well lit.
Install night lights in bedrooms for children and guests.
Your home should have plenty of wall outlets for lamps and appliances to prevent octopus connections.
Regularly inspect and test smoke detectors.

Bathroom safety

Remove any appliances around the sink or bathtub area. If you have a hair dryer, electric shaver, or other appliance on a nearby counter top, unplug it when bathing a child as a precaution.
Even when an appliance is turned off, electricity is still present within it. Therefore, if an appliance falls in water, unplug it; never try to pull it out of the water while it is plugged in.
When filling the bathtub for your child's bath, turn on the cold water first, then add hot water to it. When the tub is at the desired level, turn off the hot water first, and then turn off the cold water.
Before putting a child in the bathtub, feel the water. If the water feels warm to you, it may be too hot for them.
Don't put children in the bathtub when the water is running, and never leave them alone in a bath, even for a minute.
Install night-lights in bathrooms for children and elderly persons.

Workshop and garage safety

A workshop should be well lighted and ventilated.
Always keep tools out of reach of children.
Extension cords should have adequate capacity for the wattage of the tool or appliance you want to use.
Tools should be properly grounded or double-insulated.
When not in use, disconnect power tools (or lock the switches).
Wear eye protection when working with tools.
Be sure your garage is well lighted with switches at the doors.
Regularly inspect your garage door for safe operation.

For residential customers

Energy Savings Solutions: Get specific tips on cooling, heating, appliances, pools and more.
Home Energy Manager: This online survey can help you identify and control your energy use.
Energy Q & A: Ask our energy expert a household energy question and get an answer for free.
Heat pumps: A heat pump can reduce your heating costs by 30% compared to a gas furnace.
Evaporative coolers: Information to help you select and maintain an evaporative cooler.
Heat gain: How to keep summer's hot air outside and cool air inside.
Cost of appliances: Find out the monthly costs of running various household appliances.
Buying appliances: An ENERGY STAR® model can save you money and energy.
Energy Guide labels: Find out what the big yellow labels mean on new appliances.
Swimming pools: Tips for keeping your pool clean and energy efficient.
Tankless water heaters: These units may require high-capacity wiring and a separate breaker.
SRP-Certified Homes: These homes feature energy-efficient electric heat pumps.
Contractor referrals: Get air-conditioning, electrical and other contractor referrals.

For business customers

Energy-saving tips: A list of low-cost ways to make your office more energy-efficient.
Business Energy Manager: Monitor and reduce your energy use with this free online program.
Lighting analysis: Cut lighting costs with a free lighting-efficiency analysis by SRP.

The use of electrical systems is constantly expanding, as more types of electrical appliances and equipment are used in the home.The increasing affordability of electrical equipment also adds to the problem.Many homes now have several TVs,stereos,and computers.Another problem with electrical systems is that they don't get better with age.Insulation on wiring does not improve with age.In fact,some types of insulation become brittle,crumble,or dissolve from moisture.Therefore there are many of reasons to evaluate the electrical system of a house by modern standards,not by the pratice of the construction at the time.