As part of its annual holiday safety awareness effort, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is urging the public to Make Safety a Tradition by providing resources that promote electrical safety during the holiday season.
Results from a recent ESFI survey indicate that more than 86% of Americans decorate their homes as part of their winter holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, seasonal decorations are accompanied by many electrical hazards. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 210 home fires begin with Christmas trees each year, and nearly one-third of these fires are attributed to electrical failures or malfunctions. An additional 860 home structure fires per year are caused by holiday decorations excluding Christmas trees.