Hardware Store- Tips and Advice: Extension Cord Safety Continued
by Shawnee Bowlin
FeedTheVillage.com - Tips and Advice: Extension Cord Safety
I managed to cut through the cord where it was damaged with the sharp place on the pliers. Wire strippers would have been much more welcomed at this point. It took me a few minutes, but I managed to re-wire the cord and tape it up well enough to finish the job. I was quite proud of myself that it worked because I had not thus far put into practice my knowledge, having only observed it being done by my husband in the past. Imagine my joy when I plugged it into the wall and it actually worked, leaving me standing to finish the job. Once I was done with my task, I admitted my mistake to my very understanding friend. I resolved to replace the cord if it couldn't be properly repaired. Although I had managed to get it once again working, I did not have enough faith in my repair job to leave it for her to use in the future. I knew my husband could do the job in a more professional and safe manner. In the meantime, I went on a hunt for ways to properly repair an extension cord. I actually found a plug to replace the one on the cord which would allow me to cut off the portion I had repaired and just put a new end on the cord. This entirely eliminated the electrical and any other piecing together of the cord, which incidentally, could cause an unsafe fire hazard. However, I left the job up to my kind husband to replace the end of the cord with a new plug. Again, I watched as he did the work and learned another new skill. So, why all the rambling about extension cords? Well, they are an important part of construction and repair work. You must use the proper cord for the job. You must be aware of safety concerns with equipment or tools that have been damaged. If you are unsure of how to do the job, you must either learn or leave it up to someone with more experience. Too much pride can truly be fatal. You must know the proper end to use to repair a cord. There are different ends for a reason. You must also pay attention when using a cord to avoid damaging the cord. Always remember, even something as simple as an extension cord can make or break a job and a life. If you aren't concerned about your own life or your own cord, you should be concerned about the other people who may be using the cord in the future. And finally, pride and carelessness have no place on the job.
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