Electricity had changed our lives. With proper care and maintenance, electricity is beneficial. However, when used improperly, it is dangerous. Electrical hazards account for numerous deaths, injuries and economic losses each year. In order to avoid electrical hazards, a campaign was introduced: National Electrical Safety Month.
What is National Electrical Safety Month?
The National Electrical Safety Month, led by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), is a month-long annual event (every May). It aims to reduce electrically-related hazards by: increasing awareness on electrical safety, educating the audience on electrical safety guidelines, and preventing electrically-related injuries. The campaign includes the promotion of electrical safety at home, school and the workplace.
National Electrical Safety Month 2014
This year, the campaign includes:
- Launch of Electrical Safety Illustrated. Included in the magazine are important electrical safety issues and the latest information on electrical hazards that you need to know. The following are some of the messages included in the magazine:
- Have a qualified electrician check all electrical wiring, outlets, and connections.
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance (toaster, coffeemaker, etc) at an outlet at a time.
- Consider installing arc fault circuit interrupters (ACFIs) at home.
- Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are advised to use outdoors, in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Extension cords are for temporary use. Install additional outlets if needed.
- Introduction of the Twitter chat using #nesmchat hashtag. This will allow interaction between authorities and the public; the public could ask questions on electrical safety and authorities can respond and educate them. The people in charge of responding to tweets are Judy Comoletti, NFPA’s public education division manager, and ESFI’s President Brett Brenner. According to Comoletti, “We’re really looking forward to this event,” “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect directly with the public and to address their electrical safety questions and concerns.”
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