Electrical Safety Gets Its Own Month!

May is a busy month. Within its 31 days you’ll find more holidays and annual occurrences than just about any other month of the year. There are the big holidays like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day as well as key dates for racing fans like Indy 500 Day and Kentucky Derby Day. Hell, even nudists with a green thumb get recognized on World Naked Gardening Day, which is celebrated on the first Saturday in May. But did you know that each and every day in May has been set aside for electrical safety awareness?

Not nearly as sentimental as Mother’s Day, and infinitely less sexy (but arguably more practical) than Naked Gardening Day, National Electrical Safety Month (NESM) is the brainchild of The Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI). The month was established to raise awareness and educate the public on critical electrical safety topics.

But does the topic of electrical safety really warrant one entire month? Here are a few sobering statistics to make the case for it. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) estimates that in the United States, there are approximately 187 electrical-related fatalities each year – and that’s just in the workplace. At home, the picture is far grimmer. According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year there are over 47,000 home structure fires caused by electrical failure that result in over 400 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage. Nearly all of the damage, injuries and fatalities would have been avoidable if the proper measures were taken.

Electrical safety is of utmost importance, and it’s so significant that it has its own dedicated month. At PK Electric NYC, we prioritize your safety by providing top-notch electrical panel wiring, electrical wiring services, and ceiling fan repair services. We also offer comprehensive commercial electrical inspections to ensure that your electrical systems meet safety standards. Our team of skilled professionals is available round the clock to address any electrical issues that may arise, offering reliable 24-hour electrical service. Trust us for expert electrical repairing services and a commitment to promoting electrical safety throughout the year. Your safety is our priority.

SAFETY IN THE HOME

EFSI published these key safety tips for homeowners and renters.

Indoors:

• Check electric cords for fraying or cracking. Replace cords that may be damaged, and don’t overload electric outlets.
• Remember extension cords are intended to be temporary; they are not intended as permanent household wiring.
• Don’t run cords under carpets or rugs and don’t tack or nail cords to walls or floors.
• Keep electric appliances and tools away from water. Never reach for or unplug an appliance that has fallen into water; instead, turn the power off at the breaker before you unplug the appliance or remove it from the water.
• Never put anything other than an electrical plug in an outlet. Use outlet covers or caps to protect children.
• Keep your home’s electrical system in good repair. Contact a licensed electrical contractor if you have flickering lights, sparks, non-functioning outlets, or need wiring repairs or upgrades.

Outdoors: 

• Never touch downed power lines!
• Always call your local utility or 911 if you see lines down.
• Watch for overhead lines every time you use a ladder, work on roofs, trees, or carry long tools or loads. Keep kites, model airplanes, and metallic balloons away from power lines.
• Know what’s below before you dig. At least 3 days before starting any digging or excavating project, call 811, the National One Call Center, to have underground utility lines, pipes, and cables marked for free.
• Avoid planting trees underneath power lines or near utility equipment.

SAFETY WITH WORKPLACE TEMPORARY POWER

Temporary power is essential to construction workers, and in many cases is vital for renovation projects. EFSI and OSHS suggest that workers and site managers follow these steps to ensure proper safety procedures are met when working with or around temporary power.

• Inspect cords and wiring to ensure there is no damage or alterations.
• Temporary wiring must be maintained in a safe code-compliant manner.
• Ensure all equipment, receptacles, and flexible cords and cables are properly grounded.
• Use equipment rated for the environment (indoor or outdoor).
• GFCI protection is required for all 125-volt, and 30-amp receptacle outlets.
• Test GFCI monthly.
• Keep a test and maintenance log of all the equipment and cord sets being used.
• Always disconnect power and lockdown/tagout when maintaining, repairing, extending, or re-routing temporary power.
• Maintain circuit directories.

Also, temporary power needs to be installed by a licensed electrician and must be removed when the project is complete.

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE

“Preventing accidents starts with educating ourselves,” said President Barrack Obama in a 2015 message recognizing National Electrical Safety Month. “By taking steps such as installing electrical safety devices, having a professional electrician inspect your home’s wiring system, ensuring surge suppressors are not overloaded, and using appliances and equipment according to manufacturer instructions, we can all help minimalize the tragic and costly dangers of electricity.”

Part of preventing accidents is teaching our children how to be safe around electricity. For some helpful tips on how to educate little ones about electrical safety, check out our blog post from last year’s Electrical Safety Month.