Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / May 10, 1984, edition 1 / Page 8
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Is Your Home Electrically Safe? By Karen Parker Poet Staff Writer Don’t insist your borne is -electrically safe until ynu’ve given it a thorough check using the U.S. Con sumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC), “Home Electrical Safety Audit. **--— Commissioner Terrence Scanlon of the Washing ton based CPSC informed the 11-page audit can be obtained free of charge simply by writing. U.S. Consumer Product Safety D C. 20207. The checklist explains how to check for correct light bulbs, ex tension cords, heaters, and TV-audio equipment. The checklist also shows fam ilies what to inspect in every room from the living room to the basement. The national and region al offices, as well as the resident posts of CPSC are working to make the coun try aware of electrical safety. “Data reveals 600 persons die of electric shock each year,” Scanlon pointed out. He added, “1,100 die-in electrical re lated fires that injure an additional 16,300 and cause $950 million in property damage.” acanion stressed these fires don’t occur in hotels dr other institutions where large numbers of people are accommodated. The thousands of deaths which he described happen, na tionwide in or amunri homes. The frequently fatal accidents are situa tions like a plugged-in hair dryer falling into a bath tub, causing electrocution. “Even if the power switch is turned off, a dryer that is plugged into an outlet is —likely to electrocute some one in the bathtub," in sisted Scanlon. He warned against com mon practices such as placing extension cords under heavy furniture, in serting too many cords in one outlet, and allowing cords to run freely across floors instead of tacking them to walls. Each of the seemingly minor points are actually hazardous. The CPSC pu blishes many booklets concerning safety with small kitchen appliances, repairing and installing electrical products, and Druid Hills Garden dub Activities The recent Druid Hills Garden Club meeting was held at the home of Minnie Connor. Sophease Black mon and Inez Ellis led devotion. The president of the club, Lois Love, opened the busi-' ness session first with dis cussion about the Council’s Fashion Show. The members then elect ed Hazeline Long as queen and several activities were planned for this effort. Inez Ellis shared pic tures of the recycling pro ject performed by the Coiunci]. Mrs. Connor led a work shop on pruning roses. She shared that when cutting off the dead branches, the lines should always be slanted. The cuts should be sealed with clear nail polish or a commercial sealer. The sealer prevents bores from getting into the plants. After pruning the plants, one should always shape them. Now is a good time to prune and set out trees. Also remember not to dog around the roots of the roses. - Following the workshop, the hostess of the garden club served a delightful meal. The following mem bers were present: Inez Ellis, Queen Ellis, Roberta Lyles, Sophease Black mon, Edna Gaston, Hattie McCree, Eva J. Wiley, Lois Love, Ann Williams and Hazeline Long. EndometriosH The Endometriosis Net work will meet May 16, Wednesday, at Woman’s World Spa in the Amity Gardens Shopping Center, 3900-A E. Independence Blvd., from 7-6:30 p.m. Liz Williams will facili tate this group. The meet ing is open to all women. For more information, call a WomanReach peer counselor from 10 a.m. to 4 p m. weekdays, 10 a m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, at 334-3614. '"n - ■ LIVING ROOM/FAMILY ROOM I in a living room, you should enact your lighting, its cords. a»tansion cords, neatars and TV/audio aqupmant. *^0 CHECK THE WATTAGE Of ALL BULBS IN r YOUR LIGHTS • Are the Du'Ds the appropriate wattage tor the size of ~ ihr ti»tmef> f specialty ihec* uu*t)S in vetting fixtures anu m— hooded /amps fhaf wttf trap heat □ V«J □ No --*» --J I A bulb ol loo high wattage may lead to lire -ttiiuugli overheating--—--— Replace with a correct wattage bulb It you don t know the correct wattage uae a bulb no larger than 60 watt* Tripping hazard may result Also, stepping on cords can damage them, leading to a fire hazard Keep cords out of the way of traffic areas This portion of the Home Electrical Safety Audit illustrates what you should check for electrical safety in your living room 01 family "room. If you spot any problems, take action to remove or correct them. Periodically, re-in spec t using this checklist to be sure no new electrical safety problems have de veloped. even how to fly a kite, and use a ladder safely. Because the number of electrical home fires is astronomical, CPSC staffs are advising families to install smoke detectors in their homes. “Sixty per cent of Americans now have smoke detectors," Scanlon noted. Allen Dobbins who directs the CPSC resident post in Charlotte, men tioned a program known as “Alarm Charlotte Total ly,” which provides smoke detectors for low-income, handicapped, and elderly residents “The smoke de tectors are installed by the fire department," Dobbins stated. Residents eligible for the service should te lephone Brad Anderson of the Fire Prevention De partment at 374-2101. OUTSIDE THE HOME Eliminating safety ha zards within the home is good. However, there are many areas outside the home which should also be regarded. Warm weather always means more work to make your yard beautiful. Be safe in the process. CPSC estimates each year 8,400 people receive emergency room treatment for injur ies involving power hedge trimmers; 57,000 victims are sent to the hospital emergency rooms yearly for accidents involving lawn mowers. A fact sheet published by CPSC illustrated the fol lowing case: “Joe was trimming a hedge, and as he held a branch in his left hand, he cut the right fin ger of that hand. His finger was amputated.’’ ' The safety commission suggests using a hedge trimmer with cutting teeth and guards that are close together - not wide enough to put your finger between them. The trimmer should have two handles; the for ward handle should be wide and high above the cutting blades. —Buy a lightweight ma chine which you can con trol easily. -Try to find a machine which has a pressure sensitive switch so that it turns off when pressure is released. -Buy a trimmer that is either double-insulat ed or grounded with a three-wire cord. When using a power mower, wear close-fitting clothes and sturdy, nonslip shoes. -Go over the lawn care fully to pick up stones, wire, toys, dog bones... anything the mower might pick up andthrow. --Always start the mower outdoors, near the lawn you’re going to mow. -Mow forward as much as possible, so you can see where you’re going. -Stay dear of the blade housing edge and the dis charge chute. -Never point discharge chute at others. -Turn off the mower if you leave if even for a moment. Following these tips should make your outdoor certainly safer. For more detailed information and pin-up safety tips for your home and garage, write the Consumer Product Safety Commission. All published materials are free. Sylvester Scipio, a ju nior communications major from Lumberton, N.C.. was elected Stu dent Government Asso ciation President. Daryl Sledge, a junior English major from Chicago, 111., was elected as Vice President. Other officers include Trea surer Jeremiah Sims of Sumter, S.C.; Record ing Secretary Ella Mae Hairston of Martins ville, Va.i Correspond ing Secretary Sarah Price of Martinsville, Va. Student represent atives on the Board of Trustees are Patrice Stevenson of Charlotte; Angela Battle of Le noir; and Charles Min nis of Scotch Plains, NJ "For All Your Real Estate -Noods" 5323 -i Green brook Dr. ■-V4 • Vi Res. 175-9119 Off ice 519-947# -—-1 A&T Meeting The Queen City Chapter of AftT State University ■*iU boat its monthly meet ing May lg ip the Holi day Inn North on Sugar Creek Rd. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and a social hour will follow. Activities will be held in the Azalea Room.'All alumni are urged to attend.-I— MALM) Meeting Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will meet Tuesday, May 15, at Quin cy’s Steak House. The members invite you 7 p.m. and join their dis-, cuss ion at 8 p.m. For more information, telephone Lucy Dickens, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., at 364-1916 or the MADD answering service anytime, 568-4325. - ■■ ■ — ■ w^a—» ' Come By To See Marie Today For Your Home Furnishings j And Appliances * Blend of Polyester & Cotton =^si — UNIFORMS Sizes . 4-20 14’/r-32'/» 46-48-50-52 ' •jjj • ^.. r:; srft-ii«» CentFal Square Shopping Center i ”-P . J >SAVE $5 ^Misses Zip 'n Dash ft dresses in our Budget Shop t— - - - 099 Reg.$15 X each Comfortable, practical, easy^ :. to care for dresses. In an* assortment bf prints, plaids, checks and stripes, these dresses are a wardrobe must! In misses’sizes. ,< $16 Zip ’n Dash dresses in : half sizes ...10.99 l Ask about Sears Credit Plans n Diamond jewelry is available In |\ Charleston,WV. Fayetteville and |\ Winston-Salem only. 1«tc gold ■ 1 jewelry Is only available In Bir rj boursville, Charleston.SC. Charleston.WV, Charlotte, Col umbia. Durham. Fayetteville. Greensboro. Raleigh. Roanoke. Wilmington and Winston-Salem. 50% OFF Selected I diamond cocktail rings Dazzle mom with diamonds on her special day! In 8 pt. to v«-ct total weight. 50% OFF Entire stock of 2 14K gold chains, charms, earrings ] Glittering gifts for mom! 14K gold chains, charms and earrings will make her sparkle! Sale starts Wednesday, May 9; ends Saturday, May 12 unless otherwise specified. c e s ISEIGNGg ^ TO THERT 25% OFF Entire stock of misses' spring jacket dresses 99 Styles shown are Reg. $40 each ©Q q h Super Mom—she's so versatile and her clothes should be too! Choose from piany • traditional and contemporary styles of • jacket dress in summer colorations. Misses si2es. $42 Half sizes ..30-99 each >33% OFF Entire stock of junior dresses Dresses for young mom's—or just t —the young at heart. Hurry in and see our ENTIRE STOCK of junior dresses now on sale! In our Junior Bazaar Large items such as furniture and appliances are inventoried in our distribu tion center and will be scheduled for pick-up or delivery Delivery is not in cluded in selling prices Sears pricing policy: If an item is not described as reduced or a special pur chase, it is at its regular price A special purchase though not reduced is an exceptional value. . SA Eastland Mall - 568-9100
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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May 10, 1984, edition 1
8
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