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Indoor
Electrical Safety Check © 2004 Electrical Safety Foundation International Published as a public service by the Electrical Safety Foundation International in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Canada Safety Council. The Indoor Electrical Safety Check booklet is made possible through a grant from Intertek Testing Services. No endorsement of any particular product, company or service is implied by their mention in this publication. Contents Introduction Note: Throughout the booklet, words in blue are listed in the glossary. Each year many consumers are injured and killed in and around their homes. Unsafe conditions such as overloaded circuits and damaged wire insulation as well as the misuse of extension cords and other electrical products create fire and electric shock hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that between 1994 and 1998, there was an annual average of 208 accidental electrocution deaths related to consumer products. In 1999, there were an estimated 150 accidental electrocutions. This reduction is due to improved product safety engineering, better standards and electrical codes, safer installations, and better safety awareness thanks to attentive consumers and the efforts of organizations like the ESFI. However, during the 1994-1998 period there was an estimated annual average of 165,380 electrical-related home structure fires which accounted for an annual average of 910 deaths, nearly 7,000 injuries, and nearly $1.7 billion in property damage. While the numbers vary from year to year, there is no clear downward trend as we see with electrocutions. This underscores how important it is for us to remain vigilant. Take a few minutes to look for and correct electrical safety hazards in your home. It does not take too long to check the insulation on a cord, move an appliance away from water, check for correct wattage light bulbs, or have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCls) and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) installed. On the other hand, it sometimes takes a lifetime to overcome severe electrical injuries that can result from overlooking these simple things. Electricity is a powerful and useful energy source that also must be treated with respect and extreme caution. This brochure is intended for use only as an information guide, NOT a training or instruction manual. Inspect and Protect! Electrical System Inspection >> ESFi |
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