May is National Electrical Safety Month and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is kicking off its annual effort to raise awareness of potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety. This year’s campaign features the launch of the second edition of its National Electrical Safety Month publication, Electrical Safety Illustrated. This year's subject is That Old House, This New Update and informs readers about common hazards posed by America's aging housing stock while featuring a variety of safety and efficiency updates that can be made to all homes.

Old houses, modern energy needs

“Nearly half of our nation’s houses were built before 1970, and our growing dependence on energy heightens the risk of overburdening an older home’s electrical system leading to fires or electrocutions,” said ESFI President Brett Brenner. “Luckily there are a number of updates that can help minimize the danger, and the first step is to have an electrical inspection by a licensed electrician if your home is over 40 years old.”

The topics addressed in the update include:

Evolution of the American Home

Outlets: The Ins and Outs 

Fire Wire

Fuse and Breaker Breakdown

Switch to Safety

HVAC Maintenance: Get your Ducts in a Row

Watt Bulb Works Best for Your Home?

Surge and Protect

Electrical Safety: Think Outside the Home

Learn From Me, Think Safety

Other resources

ESFI will also be sharing daily tips via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and will provide free and discounted publications to help increase electrical safety awareness during the month. More information can be found on ESFI’s newly redeveloped website.

ESFI encourages the sharing of its campaign resources, and developed The National Electrical Safety Month 2015 Electrical Safety Advocate Guide to provide the resources necessary to raise awareness of electrically safe practices.  Whether you want to educate a loved one or raise awareness in your community, school, or workplace, this guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to be an Electrical Safety Advocate and help champion ESFI’s cause of minimizing electrically-related deaths and injuries. 

Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees and communities will help prevent electrical fires, injuries and fatalities. For ESFI’s complete collection of National Electrical Safety Month resources, visit www.esfi.org/program/national-electrical-safety-month-314.   

About ESFI:

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to increase public awareness of the electrical hazards around us at home, work, school, and play.