ESFI Celebrates Spring with National Electrical Safety Month
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) March 20, 2014 -- Today is the official first day of spring and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is celebrating with the launch of its National Electrical Safety Month materials, which focus on fire and electrical safety tips for common spring activities. Each May, ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month to raise awareness of potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety. This annual effort supports ESFI’s yearlong campaign, 4 Seasons of Safety, which educates the public about fire and electrical safety dangers that are related to common seasonal activities.
During National Electrical Safety Month, ESFI will unveil Electrical Safety Illustrated magazine, a special publication that discusses timely electrical safety issues and equips consumers with the knowledge to protect their homes, families and communities from electrical hazards. Further, ESFI’s newly updated Disaster and Seasonal Safety section of its website provides tips for hazards that are common during the spring season, including flooding and lightning safety as well as dangers associated with common outdoor activities.
“As we become increasingly dependent on electricity, it is important that the public understands how to identify and correct the electrical hazards that are commonly present in their homes,” said ESFI President Brett Brenner. “In addition to the hazardous situations we can control, we must also be mindful of the fact that severe weather can strike at any time. Being prepared can help mitigate disastrous situations.”
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 47,700 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments each year involve some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. These fires result in 418 civilian deaths, 1,570 civilian injuries and $1.4 billion in direct property damage. Awareness and education are critical to reduce the incidence of electrical fires and ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month to educate the public and reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries and property loss.
Featured content in Electrical Safety Illustrated includes resources that provide an overview of the National Electrical Code® (NEC) process and address the importance of timely adoption; an illustrated guide that explains the importance of arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and the differences between them; a graphic that explains tamper resistant receptacle (TRR) technology; a National Electrical Safety Month quiz; tips for avoiding counterfeit electrical products; and important information on home surge protection. Additionally, ESFI offers a collection of workplace safety resources to help those in the field make electrical safety a business priority.
ESFI encourages the sharing of its campaign resources and developed The National Electrical Safety Month 2014 Electrical Safety Advocate Guide to provide the resources necessary to raise awareness of electrically safe practices. Whether you want to educate a loved one or raise awareness in your community, school or workplace, this guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to be an Electrical Safety Advocate and help champion ESFI’s goal of minimizing electrically related deaths and injuries.
Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees and communities will prevent electrical fires, injuries and fatalities. For ESFI’s complete collection of National Electrical Safety Month resources and more information on spring safety, visit http://www.esfi.org.
About ESFI:
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to increase public awareness of the electrical hazards around us at home, work, school, and play. ESFI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety. For more information about ESFI and electrical safety, visit http://www.esfi.org.
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Julie Chavanne, Electrical Safety Foundation International, +1 (703) 841-5935, [email protected]
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