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ESFI LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO HELP PROTECT HOMES FROM ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

"Inspect and Protect!" Campaign Heralds the Beginning of National Electrical Safety Month

(Arlington, Va.)—The Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI) celebrates the start of National Electrical Safety Month by launching its safety campaign—"Inspect and Protect!" today. The campaign provides consumers with basic information and simple tips to safeguard their homes from undetected electrical issues.

This May during National Electrical Safety Month, homeowners are encouraged to 1) inspect wiring systems in homes 40 years and older, 10 years and older with major renovations or new appliances added, or that have been newly purchased; 2) learn the potential hazards posed by aluminum wiring systems; and 3) consider installing arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) technology. As electrical systems age they can deteriorate and become overloaded. It is important that consumers have their electrical systems inspected by a licensed electrical inspector or electrician to identify and correct hidden hazards before they become tragedies.

Electricity is uniquely unforgiving, even the smallest mistake can cause fire, injury or death. Between 1994 and 1998, according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, there was an average of 406,700 residential fires a year, and nearly 17 percent were related to electrical distribution or appliances and equipment. Another 42,700 or 10.5 percent were related to heating and air conditioning systems. These combined to cause an average of 860 deaths, 4,875 injuries and nearly $1.3 billion in property damage. Many of these incidents could have been prevented by having an electrical inspection of the house to find the hidden hazards lurking behind the walls and in the electrical panel and appliances of the home.

"Many homeowners don’t understand the dangerous effect age has on their home’s electrical system," said Michael G. Clendenin, ESFI executive director. "Our goal is to make them aware of the potential hazards and provide them with the information they need to protect their homes and their families. At the conclusion of this campaign, we hope homeowners will regard an electrical inspection as an essential part of routine home maintenance."

The spokesperson for this campaign is Cliff Meidl, who survived a near fatal electric shock in the workplace in 1986 only to go on to participate in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics in sprint kayaking, carrying the American flag during the opening ceremonies in Sydney, Australia.

"I learned firsthand that the key to electrical safety is awareness. It is important to me to teach others about the potential dangers of electricity on the job and at home and the importance of electrical safety," said Meidl. "As spokesperson for the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s safety campaign I urge you to protect yourself and your families by Inspecting and Protecting your home."
For More Info Go To >> www.Electrical-Safety.org