By: ESFI.org

Many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented simply by understanding basic electrical safety principles and adhering to safe practices. ESFI has developed a number of resources to help educate homeowners, consumers, older adults, and children.

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, electrical safety should be a top priority in your home. Awareness of electrical hazards is the key to reducing the staggering number of electrically-related home fires, injuries and deaths that occur every year.

The following information and resources from ESFI will help you gain a better understanding of how to use electricity and electrical products safely:

Prevent Electrical Overloads – Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading your electrical system.

Extension Cord Safety – Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more. Extension cords can overhead and cause fires when used improperly, so keep these important tips in mind to protect your home and workplace.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Working smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a home fire, but there is more you need to do to ensure your family is prepared to safely escape from a fire emergency.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Electrical Safety – Review ESFI recommendations and safety tips before you decide to tackle electrical projects in your home.

Virtual Home – Take a tour of ESFI’s interactive virtual home for a visual introduction to your home electrical system and safety tips for using common electrical devices.

Electrical Safety Videos – ESFI’s video library contains a wide variety of safety videos that demonstrate critical home electrical safety concepts and tips.  Many videos are also available in Spanish.

Home Safety Checklists – Use these easy checklists to help you identify and correct electrical and fire hazards in your home before a serious incident occurs.

Blog: Fowler Electric Systems

Electric shock drowning (ESD) happens when marina or onboard electrical systems leak electric current into the water. The current then passes through the body, causing paralysis, and results in drowning.

With summer in full swing, NFPA and Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) are joining forces to remind people about the potential electrical hazards that exist in swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, on board boats and in the waters surrounding boats, marinas and launch ramps.

Blog posts from NFPA’s Electrical Technical Lead Derek Vigstol:

• Electric Shock Drowning (ESD): A Hidden Killer
• Three key electrical considerations to prepare marinas for summer
• Safeguarding Pool and Hot Tub Owners from the Hazards of Electricity

MARINAS, LAKES, AND PONDS

Tips for swimmers

• Never swim near a marina, dock or boatyard, or near a boat while it’s running.
• Obey all “no swimming signs” on docks.

Tips for boat owners

• Avoid entering the water when launching or loading your boat.  Docks or boats can leak electricity into the water causing water electrification.
• Each year, and after a major storm that affects the boat, have the boat’s electrical system inspected by a qualified marine electrician to be sure it meets the required codes of your area, including theAmerican Boat & Yacht Council. Make the necessary repairs if recommended. Check with the marina owner who can also tell you if the marina’s electrical system has recently been inspected to meet the required codes of your area, including the National Electrical Code (NEC).
• Know where your main breaker(s) are located on both the boat and the shore power source so you can respond quickly in case of an emergency.
• Have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) installed on the boat; use only portable GFCIs or shore power cords (including “Y” adapters) that are Marine Listed when using electricity  near water. Test GFCIs monthly.

Blog: Fowler Electric Systems