Electrical Safety in Your Home
Electricity is an increasing presence in our modern lives. May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is promoting a healthy respect for electricity and increasing awareness of electrical hazards.
Electrical incidents and fires disrupt countless lives and result in the loss of billions of dollars in productivity and assets each year.
Week 1 – Cooking Up Safety in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where families gather to cook favorite recipes, share warm meals, and reconnect with each other, but it’s also the location where two-thirds of all home fires start. Identify and correct potential hazards in your kitchen before someone gets hurt.
Week 2 – Plug Into Safety in Your Family Room
The family room is an area of the home where many people go to unwind and relax, but there are certainly a lot of appliances powered there. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average home today has three televisions, two DVD players, at least one digital camera, one desktop computer and two cell phones. Many homes and their electrical systems were built before most modern-day home electronics and appliances were even invented. Learn to recognize and eliminate potential electrical hazards that can exist in common areas of your home.
Week 3 –Wake Up to Safety in the Bedroom
The average adult sleeps almost 8 hours per night, spending at least one-third of every day in their bedroom. Unfortunately, we are often at our most vulnerable while asleep. Thirty-six percent of people killed in home fires never wake up. Take steps to make sure your bedroom is safe—you’ll sleep better!
Week 4 – Build a Foundation of Safety in the Basement
The basement is one of the most commonly ignored areas of the home. Yet, it is also where some of your most essential—and expensive—home electrical equipment is kept. Heating equipment and electrical distribution systems are two of the leading causes of home fires. You can help keep your home safe by learning the basics of how these systems work and making sure they are properly maintained.
Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist toHome Security Source discussing home security and identity theft on TBS Makeover.