Nearly three people die each day in residential electrical-related home fires and accidental electrocutions in the home according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), reports 285 people were electrocuted on the job in 2001. To help prevent more electrical-related deaths and injuries, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) promotes May as National Electrical Safety Month each year.

Nearly 111,400 home fires per year are caused by faulty electrical distribution systems, electrical appliances and equipment, or heating and air conditioning systems, causing an astounding $1.3 billion in property damage. Additionally, millions of dollars are lost in corporate and personal productivity along with tremendous costs associated with health insurance and workers compensation claims and litigation.

"Technology can only do so much to keep us safe," said ESFI Executive Director Michael Clendenin. "The key element to electrical safety is awareness. If people are aware of the hazards present around them at home, at work, at school and at play, and of the many simple ways they can keep safe, those statistics can be dramatically reduced.

For detailed electrical safety information, please visit:
www.electrical-safety.org