May is National Electrical Safety Month and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is launching its annual effort to help reduce electrically-related fatalities, injuries, and property loss. This year’s campaign theme is "Understanding the Code that Keeps us Safe," which features resources focusing on the importance of the National Electrical Code and its three year cycle. 

“The NEC is updated every three years to include the latest in proven safety technology, and ESFI is committed to educating the public about the importance of staying up to code,” said ESFI President, Brett Brenner. “This year’s resources focus on common hazards including overhead power lines and lesser-known dangers such as electric shock drowning.”

Why  it matters

An estimated annual average of 70 electrocution fatalities are associated with consumer products. Additionally, in 2016, 53% of all fatal electrical injuries occurred in the Construction industry. Further, there are reported cases of electric shock drowning that occur in marinas and swimming pools each year. The following resources seek to reduce these accidents and fatalities by promoting safety at home and in the workplace.

Featured National Electrical Safety Month content includes an infographic titled “National Electrical Code:  Understanding the Code that Keeps Us Safe” which explains the importance of the code and prompt adoption; “Electric Shock Drowning – Water and Electricity Don’t Mix,” uncovers the dangers of electrified water in pools and marinas; “Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories – Certifying Safety” explains the role of NRTLs in the electrical safety cycle; “Overhead Power Line Safety” provides eight steps to work safely around power lines; and “Workplace Fatalities and Injuries 2003 - 2016” covers the most recent data on workplace fatalities and injuries and demonstrates how accidents involving electricity compare.

Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees, and communities will prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities. ESFI strongly encourages states and jurisdictions to adopt the most recent codes and standards to protect residents with the latest advancements in safety technology. For ESFI’s complete collection of National Electrical Safety Month resources and for information on using them in your community, visit www.esfi.org.

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. ESFI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety. For more information about ESFI and electrical safety, visit www.esfi.org.