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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 The 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.
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