What should you do if you notice a frayed electrical cord near water?

• A. Tag out the outlet, unplug the device, report the damage, and have it repaired or replaced
• B. Ignore the damage
• C. Patch with tape and continue
• D. Use a different outlet

Answer: (A)

When a frayed electrical cord is near water, the situation is an immediate electrical safety hazard because electricity can travel through water and shock someone or start a fire. The safest approach is to de-energize and remove the device from service. Start by tagging out the outlet to prevent others from using it and, if it can be done safely, unplug the device to remove the current source. If you can’t reach the plug safely because of moisture or danger, shut off the circuit breaker first. Then report the damage so a qualified technician can inspect and repair or replace the equipment. A damaged cord should not be repaired with makeshift fixes; replace the cord or the device to restore safe operation. Simply using a different outlet won’t solve the underlying problem and could still leave you exposed to risk, especially near water. Ignoring the damage is not an option because the risk of shock or fire remains.