May is National Electrical Safety Month and a good time review electrical safety practices.
Electricity has become such a necessary part of our lives that we tend to take it for granted, but using it safely is vitally important. Thousands of people in the United States are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires and accidents in their own homes each year.
The National Fire Protection Association reports than 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. In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 400 people are electrocuted in the U.S. each year.
The sad reality is that in many cases, electrocutions and electrical fires can be prevented by following some basic electrical safety guidelines. Here are some tips you can follow to reduce your risk of electrocution, electrical shock, or an electrical fire in your home.
Here are some more tips from the U.S. Fire Administration.
Before May is over, Take some time to inspect all of the electrical work in your home to prevent a possible smoke or fire damage.