FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2003
Release # 03-144
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CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051
ESFI Executive Director: Michael Clendenin, (703) 841-3296
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CPSC, ESFI Warn Consumers About Electrical Hazards In The Home
"Inspect and Protect!" Campaign Encourages Homeowners to Safeguard Homes
ARLINGTON, VA - Summertime increases the demand for electricity and raises the
risk of fire in homes with older or damaged wiring systems. Air conditioning
equipment, electric grills, and attic fans are some of the seasonal appliances
that can place added stress and strain on a home's electrical wiring and cause a
potentially tragic fire.
Since electricity is uniquely unforgiving and can cause serious injuries
or death, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Electrical Safety
Foundation International are joining together to encourage consumers to protect
their homes from electrical problems.
Between 1994 and 1998, the CPSC estimates that there were over 360,000
residential fires each year, of which over 123,000 were related to electrical
distribution or appliances and equipment, and another 15,000 were related to
heating and air conditioning systems. These electrical fires caused an
estimated average of 910 deaths, nearly 7,000 injuries and nearly $1.7 billion
in property damage each year. Many of these incidents could have been prevented
by having an electrical inspection of the house to find hidden hazards.
This summer, CPSC and ESFI are encouraging homeowners to: 1) have an
electrical inspection conducted for homes 40 years and older, for homes 10 years
and older with major renovations or new appliances added, or that have been
resold; 2) learn the potential hazards posed by aluminum wiring systems and
contact CPSC if your home is among the two million built with aluminum wiring
between the late 1960s and early 1970s; and 3) consider installing arc fault
circuit interrupters in place of ordinary circuit breakers, especially if your
home is over 40 years old. AFCIs are new technology designed to prevent
electrical fires by sensing unseen electrical arcing. AFCIs are particularly
important where wiring may have degraded with age.
"The Commission has been working to prevent electrical fires for decades.
We are currently working with other federal agencies and safety organizations on
a major research project involving aged electrical wiring," said CPSC Chairman
Hal Stratton. "Our best advice for homeowners is to hire a licensed electrical
inspector or electrician to identify and correct hidden electrical hazards
before they become tragedies."
"Most of us are unaware of how dangerous electricity can truly be within
our homes," said Michael G. Clendenin, ESFI executive director. "As summer
begins, ESFI's goal is to inform consumers of common household electrical
hazards and empower them to protect their families and homes. We hope
homeowners will come to regard electrical safety as an essential part of routine
home maintenance."
It is important for homeowners to understand the severity of an electrical
wiring fire, as it often begins behind a wall, in a basement or in the attic
where the fire can spread throughout the home before setting off the smoke alarm
or becoming evident to occupants. This reduces the amount of time available to
escape a burning building.
Below are additional safety tips to help homeowners create the safest home
possible:
- Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every floor outside sleeping areas and in
every bedroom, and are in good working order.
- Look for telltale signs of electrical problems such as dimming of lights,
frequent circuit breaker trips or blown fuses.
- Ask a qualified electrician if your home would benefit from AFCI protection,
especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems.
- Limit the use of extension cords, particularly cords used to power room air
conditioners.
- Use light bulbs that are the proper wattage for the fixture - higher wattage
bulbs can degrade the wires in and around the fixture.
Founded in 1994, ESFI, formerly the National Electrical Safety Foundation,
is the nation's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting
electrical safety in the home, school and workplace. A registered 501(c)(3)
organization funded by the nation's top electrical manufacturers, independent
testing laboratories, electrical unions and associations, utilities and consumer
groups, 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. For more information and
safety tips, please visit: www.electrical-safety.org.
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