Safe Electricity, a public awareness program of the Energy Education Council (EEC), offers consumers its
top five safety gift picks this holiday season. "The holidays are a time to let people know how much you care about them," says Molly Hall, EEC executive director. "A practical gift that helps keep loved ones safe continues to say 'I care about you' long after the holidays." The group's top five picks are:
- Appliance timer with a safety turn-off. This device is ideal for people who forget to turn off small appliances, such as a curling iron or space heater.
- Portable/extension cord ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). A GFCI can help protect people from shock when working with electrical tools outside.
- Tamper-resistant outlets or outlet plugs. These outlets are equipped with shutters that stay closed unless a two-pronged plug is plugged in, providing permanent protection for children who may try to insert objects into outlets.
- Non-contact voltage tester. An ideal gift for the do-it-yourselfer, this device can detect the presence of voltage without touching a bare wire.
- Power strips and smart strips. EEC recommends choosing a power strip with a circuit breaker that trips if the strip becomes overloaded. A smart strip helps prevent electrical equipment from drawing power even when turned off.
