News Releases

For Immediate Release May 3, 2005

Contact:

Lissa Hurwitz Program Manager 703-841-3291

ESFI Tools Teach Kids Electrical Safety

(Arlington, Va.) New educational tools can make learning about electrical safety fun for children, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

 ESFI has released a Spanish version of its popular Mr. Plug Fun Book , designed to help teachers and parents explain electrical safety to children. ESFI is also joining with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which will launch web-based electrical safety lesson plans in conjunction with their Risk Watch® program.

 “As our reliance on electricity grows, the potential for misuse of home appliances, computers and entertainment equipment means that the need for electrical safety awareness is far more important. Teaching children basic electrical safety principles with programs such as Risk Watch , or by using the Mr. Plug books, can help establish lifelong electrical safety habits,” notes ESFI.

 The Risk Watch electrical lesson plans, for pre-k/kindergarten through eighth grade, will teach kids of all ages to be safe around electricity. The lessons can be found on the Risk Watch Web site, www.riskwatch.org.

 “Electrical fires are the third leading cause of home fires,” says Judy Comoletti, NFPA assistant vice president for public education. “Working with ESFI, NFPA has been able to focus on this important topic. It has been a fun project and I am sure our Risk Watch teachers will enjoy the new activities.”

 Risk Watch: Unintentional Injuries is the first comprehensive injury prevention program designed for use in classrooms. Linking teachers with community safety experts and parents, Risk Watch effectively teaches kids and their families the skills and knowledge they need to be safe from the areas they're at greatest risk to unintentional injuries.

 ESFI's Mr. Plug Fun Book includes coloring activities and puzzles to increase public safety awareness for children. Available in English and Spanish, one version of the Mr. Plug Fun Book is for pre-kindergarten children, and another for children in kindergarten through the third grade.

 ESFI's Mr. Plug Fun Book is available for downloading free of charge from the ESFI Library on ESFI's website, www.electrical-safety.org . Print copies can also be ordered through ESFI's website. Visit the web site, or call ESFI at 703-841-3329 for more information on electrical safety.

 

Founded in 1994 through a joint effort between Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is North America's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school and workplace.   ESFI is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by electrical manufacturers and distributors, independent testing laboratories, utilities, safety and consumer groups, and trade and labor associations.   ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May, and engages in public education campaigns and proactive media relations to help reduce property damage, personal injury and death due to electrical accidents.   The Foundation does not engage in code or standard writing or lobbying and does not solicit individuals.

For additional electrical safety information, visit the Foundation's web site at www.electrical-safety.org or call 703-841-3229.

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education. For more on NFPA's Risk Watch program, call (617) 984-7269 or email, alebeau@nfpa.org.

For additional electrical safety information, visit the Foundation's web site at www.electrical-safety.org or call 703-841-3291.

Founded in 1994, ESFI, the Electrical Safety Foundation International, is North America's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school and workplace. A registered 501(c)(3) funded by leading electrical manufacturers, internationally recognized testing laboratories, electrical unions and associations, utilities and consumer groups and individuals, ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May, and engages in public education campaigns and proactive media relations to help reduce property damage, injury and death due to electrical accidents.