Wake Up to Safety with Important Tips from Electrical Safety Foundation International

Arlington, VA—May is National Electrical Safety Month and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is raising awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety. This year’s campaign challenges people across the country to evaluate the electrical safety of their own homes.

“The average adult sleeps almost eight hours per night, meaning that they spend at least one-third of every day in their bedroom,” notes ESFI president Brett Brenner. “Unfortunately, we are often at our most vulnerable while asleep. Thirty-six percent of people killed in home fires never wake up.”

Electrical incidents and fires disrupt and end too many lives each year. Fortunately, most electrical fires and incidents can be prevented.

Take steps to make sure your bedroom is safe with the help of these simple tips from ESFI:

• Before installing a portable air conditioner, make sure that the electrical circuit and the outlet are able to handle the load.
• Large window air conditioning units should have their own separate electrical circuit so the system is not overloaded.
• Clean air conditioners at the start of every season to keep them running safely and efficiently.
• Check ceiling fans regularly for a wobble, which will wear out the motor over time. To fix the wobble, turn off power to the ceiling fan and tighten the screws.
• Use correct bulb wattage in fixtures. Always turn lamps off when you leave a room for an extended period of time.
• Unplug battery chargers/power adapters when equipment is fully charged or is disconnected from the charger.
• Install smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the “TEST” button.

“You can improve the electrical safety of your entire home by identifying and eliminating potential electrical hazards before they can become a danger to yourself, your family, and your home,” says Brenner.

Making a few easy changes to improve safety can also lead to increased energy efficiency and savings on utility bills. Visit ESFI’s Virtual Home at http://virtualhome.esfi.org to learn more about home electrical safety.

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