May is National Electrical Safety Month! ESFI's 2018 NESM resources promote "Understanding the Code that Keeps Us Safe," and focus on the importance of the National Electrical Code and its three year cycle. Learn more:
#NESM
#NESM2018
#Summer
officially starts on Sunday.
@NFPA
data shows that from 2014-2018, fire departments responded to an annual average of 10,600 home fires annually involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues. Stay safe when grilling this summer:
Even after the
#holiday
season has come and gone, many indoor and outdoor decorations remain in use. ESFI has some suggestions to ensure that
#decorations
are removed and stored properly so that they will be available for safe use next year:
May is Electrical Safety Month! This years theme is "Electrical Safety During Natural Disasters." Learn how to prepare, weather, and recover after a storm:
#NESM
ESFI's President Brett Brenner spoke with
@NFPA
to offer tips residents can follow to help keep homes safer from
#electrical
fires in this age of
#smarthome
technology. Learn more:
Have you noticed appliances that seem underpowered in your home and buzzing sounds coming from switches or
#outlets
? This could be a sign of an overloaded
#electrical
system. Reduce your electrical load by using energy-efficient appliances and lighting:
If you are still working or spending more time at home, be sure to always plug into power safely. Ensure
#electricalcords
do not become tripping hazards and never run cords under rugs, carpets, doors, or windows. Learn more:
#workfromhome
#wfh
#TuesdayTip
: Have you taken down your
#holiday
decorations? If not, now is a good time to do so. Remove, inspect, and store all holiday decorations in a dry location that is safely out of reach of children and pets:
Make sure the area around your dryer is free of clutter while
#springcleaning
. Always clean the dryer lint filter after each load of laundry to prevent fires. Read more fire prevention tips:
#TuesdayTip
: Consumers are spending more time at home than ever before, so it’s imperative they don’t overload their electrical systems and cut energy costs where they can. Learn how to prevent electrical overloads:
#NationalElectricalSafetyMonth
#NESM
Nearly half of
#HomeFires
occur during the months of December, January, and February. Keep your home and
#family
safe after the holidays with these post-holiday year-end tips:
With the severe
#weather
characteristic of
#winter
comes the threat of electrical hazards caused by downed power lines, power outages, and coastal flooding. Remember to take the following precautions during winter
#storms
:
We are kicking off May is
#NationalElectricalSafetyMonth
! Whether you're working, learning, or just spending more time at home, it is important to make sure your home is electrically safe, secure, and efficient. Stay Connected to Safety this
#NESM
:
On average, it costs less than $200 to upgrade from the 2011
#NEC
to the 2017 NEC. Find out if your home is at risk of
#electrical
fires and other hazards:
#NESM
Before decorating safely for the
#holidays
, always inspect
#decorations
to ensure they do not have any frayed or pinched wires and discard any that are worn. Make sure those used outdoors are labeled for outdoor use:
#holidaysafety
When shopping online, learn how to spot
#countfeit
products and help protect yourself and your loved ones from fires or injuries associated with
#counterfeits
.
#Electrical
products are uniquely hazardous when impersonated: &
Did you know that
#LED
light
#bulbs
can last at least 22 years, and have an annual
#energy
cost of just $1? Learn more about safe and efficient lighting options:
Don't forget that
#DaylightSavingTime
ends on Sunday. While turning your clocks back an hour, remember to check the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
#FirePrevention
Do not run
#extensioncords
through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard. Always keep extension cords clear of snow and standing water. Learn more:
#TuesdayTip
:
#SpaceHeaters
account for one-third of home heating fires. If you use a space heater at home or on the job, make sure you use it safely. More tips:
Discolored outlets or appliances that seem underpowered could be a sign of an overloaded
#electrical
system. Have your home inspected by a qualified
#electrician
if it's older than 40 years or has had a major appliance installed:
#electricalsafety
#TuesdayTip
: Take a few minutes at the beginning of the month to test your home's smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms,
#AFCI
, and
#GFCI
receptacles. An average of 1,450 fire deaths occur every year in homes with missing or non-functioning
#smokealarms
:
As you begin to recover from
#HurricaneLaura
, be aware of the
#electrical
dangers associated with the resulting floods and power outages. Visit for information on how to recover from the
#hurricane
and tips to keep yourself safe.
ESFI is providing safety tips and resources to prevent household fires and accidents caused by improper
#cooking
,
#heating
, and
#holiday
decorating practices. Read more:
If you're thinking about upgrading or renovating your home, make sure to consider installing
#electricalsafety
devices. Working and attending
#schoolathome
places demands on your
#electrical
system that it may not be able to handle:
Each year approximately 2,850 children are treated for shocks & burns after sticking items into slots of
#electrical
receptacles. To prevent these injuries, the
#NationalElectricalCode
requires
#TRRs
in new & renovated homes. Read more from
@NEMAupdates
:
Tomorrow is the first day of
#spring
! Before starting any outdoor project, always look up to make sure you’re aware of any
#overheadpowerlines
. You should always stay at least 10 feet away from any overhead lines. Learn more:
The improper use and installation of
#generators
could cause
#carbonmonoxide
poisoning and kill in as little as five minutes. Symptoms of
#CO
poisoning include dizziness, headaches, nausea, and tiredness:
Warning signs of an overloaded
#electricalsystem
include frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blowing of fuses. Have a qualified
#electrician
inspect your home if it's older than 40 years or has had a major appliance installed. Learn more:
Don't decorate your home like the
#Griswolds
this
#holidayseason
. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices. They can overheat and cause a fire. Learn how to decorate safely.
#TuesdayTip
: Don't overload
#extensioncords
or allow them to run through water or snow on the ground. With continuous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard. Learn more:
Don't forget to vacuum refrigerator coils to eliminate dirt buildup that can reduce efficiency and create a
#firehazard
when
#springcleaning
. Make sure there is room behind the refrigerator for air to circulate:
Remember to only use weatherproof
#electrical
devices for outside activities. Protect
#outdoor
electrical devices from moisture and always keep dry leaves swept away from outdoor lighting, outlets, and power cords. Learn more:
#electricalsafety
#fall
#TuesdayTip
: While the
#holidays
are a joyous time of year, they can also be hazardous if simple safety precautions aren’t followed. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from electrical hazards as you celebrate the
#holidayseason
:
Cleaning your gutters or hanging
#holiday
lights soon? Before starting, be alert of where
#powerlines
are located. Always stay at least 10 feet away from all
#overheadpowerlines
and be sure to carry equipment horizontally to avoid bumping into any lines:
Extension cords can overheat and cause fires, so be sure learn how to use them properly. Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in
#extensioncords
each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more:
#electricalsafety
According to the
@NFPA
, 860 home fires caused by
#holiday
decorations occur each year, and an additional 210 home fires are caused by
#Christmastrees
. Follow these steps to ensure you decorate your home safely during the
#winter
holidays.
#TuesdayTip
: Do you use or do you plan to purchase an
#electricblanket
? Make sure your electric blankets are in good condition and certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Power cords should not be frayed, cracked, or cut. See more:
Before planting trees near a
#power
line, conduct research or speak with a professional to ensure there’s enough space for it to grow. If you suspect that a
#tree
is too close to power lines, report it to your local
#utility
When
#springcleaning
, don’t forget about your
#stove
and
#oven
. Clean the duct over the stove and the exhaust hood regularly to avoid a potential fire hazard. Learn more:
Today is
#EarthDay
. If you're heading outdoors to complete any projects, make sure to be aware of where any
#overheadpowerlines
are located. Always carry long equipment, such as ladders, horizontally to avoid bumping into any
#powerlines
: