The month of May is National Electrical Safety Month! Here are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to ensure electrical safety in your home.

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's projects, a kitchen remodel in Belmont Shore. For more photos of this remodel, click here.

Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
In homes with small children, make sure your home has tamper resistant receptacles.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only high-wattage appliance in to each receptacle outlet at a time.
If outlet or switches feel warm, frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuits, or flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.
Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.
Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas.
Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) should be installed in your home to protect electrical outlets,

For more information on electrical safety, you can check the NFPA's website here.