Each year, ESFI sponsors the month of May as National Electrical Safety Month. During this time, ESFI works with its corporate and non-profit partners to raise awareness of electrical safety issues through community outreach and media relations.
This year's theme addresses consumer awareness of counterfeit electrical products. ESFI's Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign has been created to help increase national awareness about dangerous and defective counterfeit electrical products that are threatening public safety and welfare. Counterfeit electrical products -- such as circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries, hairdryers, and holiday lights -- pose serious safety hazards in the home and the workplace. Unlike fake handbags, watches, or designer apparel, these fraudulent products can cause fires, injuries, and deaths if left undetected.
Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Materials
The Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign features a collection of print, broadcast, and multimedia educational materials that are available to be downloaded and customized at no cost. The campaign toolkit also provides guidelines and sample materials to help individuals plan National Electrical Safety Month activities in their local organizations and communities.
Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Toolkit
Click HERE to download the complete Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Toolkit. (PDF 455.91 KB)
Educational Materials
Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Backgrounder
Buyer Beware Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Fact Sheet
Consumer Safety Advisory: Counterfeit Electrical Products
2009 NESM Sample Proclamation Letter and Proclamation
Press Materials
National Electrical Safety Month Campaign Press Release
Consumer Safety Advisory Press Release
Customizable Newsletter Article
Multimedia Materials
ESFI Consumer Awareness PSA (English/Spanish)
Counterfeit Electrical Cords PSA
ESFI and NEMA Counterfeits Can Kill Educational DVD (English/Spanish)
Call to Action – Distributors (English/Spanish)
Call to Action – Government (English/Spanish)
Call to Action – Manufacturers (English/Spanish)
B-roll Video Footage (Preview/MPEG-2 Download).
Features demonstrations and examples of counterfeit electrical products and includes a link to a broadcast-quality file that can be used in television newscasts.
Beta-tapes are available upon request. To obtain a Beta-tape, please contact Jordanna Shapiro at Jordanna.Shapiro@esfi.org or (703) 841-3291.
