May is National Electrical Safety Month
Did you know that May is National Electrical Safety Month? Each May ESFI, Electrical Safety Foundation International, spearheads an annual campaign for National Electrical Safety Month to educate key audiences about the steps that can be taken in order to reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss.
Why would we need a month devoted to electrical safety? An average of 51,000 electrical home structure fires occur each year, claiming almost 500 lives, injuring more than 1,400 people, and causing more than $1.3 billion in property damage (National Fire Protection Association, 2003-2007). In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 400 people are electrocuted in the U.S. each year. And at Tri-County Inspections we use this month to keep awareness of electrical safety front and center for new home owners and first time home buyers.
Inspect Your Home's Electrical System
When we do a home inspection we spend a lot of time talking to home owners and home buyers about their electrical system. Two big things that come up in the Cleveland / Akron area are two-prong outlets and Federal Pacific Electric Panel. Read our two blog posts: Home Inspection Reveals Two-Prong Outlets. What Now? and Will a Federal Pacific Electric Panel Pass a Home Inspection? for more information.
Tips to Make a Home Safe and Efficient Electricity Use
- Use a smart plug or power strip to turn off power when devices are not in use
- LED lightbulbs last longer than traditional bulbs and use 25-80% less energy
- Heat only the area you're in with energy-efficient space heaters
- Utilize home automation to control HVAC and lighting systems while not at home
Home Electrical Safety Devices
- AFCI breakers and outlets protect against arc-faults which could lead to fires
- Grounded outlets protect against electric shocks
- GFCI outlets and breakers are required where water and electricity may come into contact and protect against ground faults
- Surge protective devices protect against damaging power surges that can destroy electrical equipment
Related Posts
Will a Federal Pacific Electric Panel Pass a Home Inspection?
Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok panels are a fire hazard. There's ample data from home inspectors, fire safety professionals and electricians across the nation declaring these electrical panels as a hazard. In common terminology, the biggest concern about Federal Pacific panels is that they don't trip reliably.
Home Inspection Reveals Two-Prong Outlets. What Now?
If you're getting a home inspection in the Cleveland / Akron area and the home was built before the 1980’s, it is very common to see notes about two-prong electrical outlets in the home inspection report. There are a lot of great resources out there to answer any of your questions about two-pronged outlets and ungrounded three-prong outlets.
Sell Faster and Sell for More With a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
If you're a seller give your prospective buyers the confidence to waive the inspection contingency with a pre-listing home inspection.
