Why Focus on Electrical Safety during Fire Prevention Week?

Electrical failures are a leading cause of home fires every year.  According to NFPA, electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in an estimated 46,500 home fires in 2010.  These fires caused 420 deaths, 1,520 injuries, and $1.5 billion in property damage.  Home electrical fires like these can be prevented. 
 
Each year, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) joins with NFPA to promote fire  safety during Fire Prevention Week.  While NFPA’s 2012 campaign focuses on planning for a quick escape during a fire, ESFI’s 2012 Fire Prevention Week resources feature steps that can be taken to prevent electrical fires before they start.  Establishing good electrical safety habits while learning to identify and correct electrical fire hazards will greatly reduce the risks for home electrical fires. 

How to Use this Toolkit                    

ESFI encourages you to use these resources as part of your Fire Prevention Week activities.  You can become better prepared for a fire emergency and take steps to prevent electrical fires at the same time.  As you are working on your family fire escape plan and finding “two ways out,” use the Electrical Fire Safety Checklist to help you identify and correct electrical fire hazards in your home. Keep the tip sheets on hand to remind you how to properly maintain your smoke alarms and arc fault circuit interrupters.  Learn more about home electrical safety and electrical fire prevention with the many videos and interactive activities available from ESFI.  The Fire Prevention Week Resource List is a great place to get started.
 
Interested in making electrical safety part of the Fire Prevention Week campaign for your school, community or workplace?  ESFI provides all of our safety resources, including this Fire Prevention Week Toolkit, at no cost.  Outreach tools make it easier than ever to spread the word about fire and electrical safety.  We invite you to copy and distribute our resources, but respectfully request that the material not be revised or altered.