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Sample Press Release: Cooking Up Safety in the Kitchen

Department:  ESFI
Type:  NESM 2011
Customize and submit this sample press release to any local media contacts/outlets you think may be interested in learning about and promoting National Electrical Safety Month. Follow up with all media by contacting assignment desks to confirm receipt of the release and to provide any additional information.
 
[Insert Organization/Company Name] Offers Tips for Cooking Up Safety in the Kitchen
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                      Contact: [Insert contact name]
[Insert Date]                                                                                                                               [Insert contact phone]
 
City, State—May is National Electrical Safety Month, and [Insert Company/Organization Name] is joining with the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to raise awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety. This year’s campaign challenges people across the country to evaluate the electrical safety of their own homes.
 
“The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where families gather to cook favorite recipes, share warm meals, and reconnect with each other, but it’s also the location where two-thirds of all home fires start,” cautions [Insert Organization/Company contact].
 
Use these simple safety tips from [Insert Organization/Company Name] to identify and correct potential hazards in the kitchen before someone gets hurt:
  • Keep the cooking area around the stove/oven clear of combustibles, such as towels, napkins, and pot holders.
  • Locate all appliances away from the sink. Plug counter top appliances into ground fault circuit interrupters.
  • Keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces like the range or toaster. Unplug the toaster and other counter top appliances when not in use.
  • Make sure there is room behind the refrigerator for air to circulate.
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils every three months to eliminate dirt buildup that can reduce efficiency and creates a fire hazard.
  • Any electric shock from a major appliance can indicate an extremely hazardous wiring condition. Turn the power to the appliance off at the circuit breaker, and do not touch the appliance until it has been checked by a licensed, qualified electrician.
“A healthy respect for electricity and a basic knowledge of electrical safety practices can help keep your home and family safe from electrical hazards,” notes [Insert Organization/Company contact].
 
Making a few easy changes to improve safety can also lead to increased energy efficiency and savings on utility bills. Visit ESFI’s Virtual Home at http://virtualhome.esfi.org  to learn more about home electrical safety.
 
 [Insert Organization boilerplate]
 
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to increase public awareness of the electrical hazards around us at home, work, school, and play. ESFI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety. For more information about ESFI and electrical safety, visit www.electrical-safety.org.
 
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