| A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a type | | | | outlet or touching an appliance that is plugged into |
| of electrical outlet that should be installed in certain | | | | that outlet. When properly functioning, a GFCI |
| areas of every home. This outlet looks similar to | | | | senses any fluctuation in power and shuts off the |
| a traditional outlet, but has two additional buttons | | | | power to that outlet in a fraction of a second. |
| in the middle of the unit which should read "test" | | | | While the person touching the shorted circuit may |
| and "reset". Usually installed near potentially wet | | | | receive a painful shock, the power is usually shut |
| locations, including bathrooms, kitchens, laundry | | | | off before serious injury occurs. |
| rooms and outdoors, GFCI outlets can prevent | | | | GFCI receptacles should be tested once a month |
| electrocution and death, as well as some electrical | | | | to ensure that they are providing proper |
| fires. | | | | protection. This is done by plugging a night light |
| Electrocution via electrical outlets occurs when a | | | | into the outlet, then pressing the "test" button; |
| person's body completes a circuit from the | | | | the light should go out. Pressing the "reset" button |
| electrical hot to the ground. This can happen if a | | | | should bring the light back on. If the GFCI fails to |
| metal object is inserted into an outlet, if there is a | | | | operate properly, an electrician should be called to |
| short in the outlet, or if water is touching the | | | | replace the receptacle. |