WESTFIELD – May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Westfield Gas & Electric 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 features the launch of Electrical Safety Illustrated magazine, which discusses timely electrical safety issues and equips consumers with the knowledge to protect their homes, families, and communities from electrical hazards.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates 47,700 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments each year involve some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. These fires result in 418 civilian deaths, 1,570 civilian injuries, and $1.4 billion in direct property damage. Awareness and education are critical to reduce the incidence of electrical fires, and ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to educate the public in order to reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries and property loss.
Many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented by understanding the basic electrical safety principles and by taking simple precautions. This year’s campaign features a collection of easily sharable safety resources that provide a fundamental understanding of electrical safety that will encourage people to look for and correct safety hazards.
Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees, and communities will prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities. For ESFI’s complete collection of National Electrical Safety Month resources, and for more information on spring safety, visit www.esfi.org or visit WG+E’s website at www.wgeld.org.
