| The abundance in the availability of electricity has rendered nations around the globe limitless in what they have been able to achieve since its conception. Over the past few centuries, electricity has been constantly changing the way people live and work and its use has contributed to the advancement of our health and safety in a countless number of ways. Despite its significant advances and contributions, it remains uniquely unforgiving if not used safely. Each year, many lives are unnecessarily disrupted by electrical fires through loss or injury of loved ones. Many families and businesses suffer personal losses that can suppress them for a lifetime.
The most recent statistical data from the National Fire Protection Association indicates that in 2009, an estimated 44,800 home structure fires were a result of electrical hazards. These fires attributed to 472 civilian deaths, 1,500 civilian injuries and $1.6 billion in direct property damage. Electrical fires are not the only cause for concern. Statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission show that nearly 400 people are electrocuted each year in the United States. Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees and communities will prevent electrical fires, injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to increase public awareness of the electrical hazards in homes, schools and workplaces. The primary focus of the 2014 National Electrical Safety Month campaign is engaging multi-generational audiences to recognize electrical hazards while creating awareness of critical safety measures that transcend generations and foster a lifelong commitment to safety.
The City of Gillette has joined with ESFI to promote electrical safety during National Electrical Safety Month and is proud to be an integral part of this vital initiative to increase electrical safety awareness in order to reduce the number of electrically-related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss by encouraging family members of all ages to work together to identify and correct potential home fire hazards. |