ESFI Offers Toolkit for Electrical Safety Month
The foundation sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to raise awareness of electrical safety hazards at work and at home.
A 2011 National Electrical Safety Month Toolkit is being offered by ESFI, the Electricity Safety Foundation International. ESFI sponsors the month each May to raise awareness of electrical safety hazards at work and at home.
Citing NFPA statistics, the foundation says almost 51,000 home fires each year on average involve an electrical failure or malfunction. These fires kill about 500 people and injure more than 1,400, causing $1.3 billion in property damage annually.
"Electrical fires are not the only cause for concern," ESFI states. "Statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission show that nearly 400 people are electrocuted in the United States each year. Fortunately, most electrical fires and incidents can be prevented. Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees and communities will prevent electrical fires, injuries, fatalities, and property loss."
This year's National Electrical Safety Month asks Americans to evaluate the electrical safety of their own homes, learning more about their electrical systems and devices.