Tobey's Safety Tips

CPSC, ESFI Warn Consumers About Electrical Hazards In The Home
"Inspect and Protect!" Campaign Encourages Homeowners to Safeguard Homes

ARLINGTON, VA - Summertime increases the demand for electricity and raises the risk of fire in homes with older or damaged wiring systems. Air conditioning equipment, electric grills, and attic fans are some of the seasonal appliances that can place added stress and strain on a home's electrical wiring and cause a potentially tragic fire.

Since electricity is uniquely unforgiving and can cause serious injuries or death, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Electrical Safety Foundation International are joining together to encourage consumers to protect their homes from electrical problems.

Between 1994 and 1998, the CPSC estimates that there were over 360,000 residential fires each year, of which over 123,000 were related to electrical distribution or appliances and equipment, and another 15,000 were related to heating and air conditioning systems. These electrical fires caused an estimated average of 910 deaths, nearly 7,000 injuries and nearly $1.7 billion in property damage each year. Many of these incidents could have been prevented by having an electrical inspection of the house to find hidden hazards.

This summer, CPSC and ESFI are encouraging homeowners to: 1) have an electrical inspection conducted for homes 40 years and older, for homes 10 years and older with major renovations or new appliances added, or that have been resold; 2) learn the potential hazards posed by aluminum wiring systems and contact CPSC if your home is among the two million built with aluminum wiring between the late 1960s and early 1970s; and 3) consider installing arc fault circuit interrupters in place of ordinary circuit breakers, especially if your home is over 40 years old. AFCIs are new technology designed to prevent electrical fires by sensing unseen electrical arcing. AFCIs are particularly important where wiring may have degraded with age.

"The Commission has been working to prevent electrical fires for decades. We are currently working with other federal agencies and safety organizations on a major research project involving aged electrical wiring," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Our best advice for homeowners is to hire a licensed electrical inspector or electrician to identify and correct hidden electrical hazards before they become tragedies."

"Most of us are unaware of how dangerous electricity can truly be within our homes," said Michael G. Clendenin, ESFI executive director. "As summer begins, ESFI's goal is to inform consumers of common household electrical hazards and empower them to protect their families and homes. We hope homeowners will come to regard electrical safety as an essential part of routine home maintenance."

It is important for homeowners to understand the severity of an electrical wiring fire, as it often begins behind a wall, in a basement or in the attic where the fire can spread throughout the home before setting off the smoke alarm or becoming evident to occupants. This reduces the amount of time available to escape a burning building.

Below are additional safety tips to help homeowners create the safest home possible:

Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every floor outside sleeping areas and in every bedroom, and are in good working order.

Look for telltale signs of electrical problems such as dimming of lights, frequent circuit breaker trips or blown fuses.

Ask a qualified electrician if your home would benefit from AFCI protection, especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems.

Limit the use of extension cords, particularly cords used to power room air conditioners.

Use light bulbs that are the proper wattage for the fixture - higher wattage bulbs can degrade the wires in and around the fixture.

Founded in 1994, ESFI, formerly the National Electrical Safety Foundation, is the nation's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school and workplace. A registered 501(c)(3) organization funded by the nation's top electrical manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, electrical unions and associations, utilities and consumer groups, ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May, and engages in public education campaigns and proactive media relations to help reduce property damage, injury and death due to electrical accidents. For more information and safety tips, please visit: www.electrical-safety.org.

New Federal Law Mandates Child Resistant Portable Gasoline Containers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Children and gasoline don’t mix. With the passage of the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act, an additional layer of fire safety and burn protection has been added for families across the country.

President George W. Bush signed the Act into law which requires portable gasoline containers manufactured for sale in the U.S. on or after January 17, 2009 to conform to child resistance safety requirements.

Gasoline containers will join containers with other flammable liquids, such as turpentine, charcoal lighter fluid, and torch fuel that are required to have child resistant closures. CPSC has jurisdiction over child resistant product packaging.

“Families who purchase gasoline cans with child resistant gas caps and who keep all flammable liquids out of the sight and reach of children are improving the safety of their homes,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

CPSC recommends these safety tips for consumers.

Buy a gasoline container that is child resistant.

Place a gasoline container in a well ventilated, cool area.

Never store gasoline or other fuel inside the house, in the basement, or near a fuel-burning appliance, open flames, pilot lights, stoves, heaters, electric mowers, or any other sources of ignition.

Never smoke near gasoline.

Never carry gasoline in the trunk of the car. Escaping vapors can easily ignite.

Keep gasoline, kerosene and other fuels out of the reach of children. Never permit children to play with matches or fuel.

CPSC also requires child resistant packaging for many products that are dangerous for children to swallow including over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, household cleaning products including drain openers, personal care products such as baby oil and mouthwash containing ethanol, and adult strength vitamins and supplements with iron. For aspirin and oral prescription medicine, special packaging has saved the lives of about 900 children since the early 1970s.

Tobey reminds you: How to prepare for winter driving:

Plan your driving in advance.

Avoid driving when fatigued.

Check weather conditions for your travel route before you begin driving.

Allow for extra driving time so you aren't rushing.

Inform someone of your route and planned arrival time.

Choose warm and comfortable clothing.

Warm up your vehicle BEFORE driving off. It reduces moisture condensing on the inside of the windows.

NEVER warm up your vehicle in a closed garage.

Remove snow and ice from your vehicle. It helps to see and, equally important, to be seen.

Bring a cell phone if you have one but do not leave it in the car as the battery will freeze.

How to drive in winter weather:

Buckle up while you are driving.

SLOW DOWN! Posted speed limits are for ideal travel conditions.

Be alert. Black ice will make a road look shiny.

Reduce your speed when approaching snowy intersections.

Drive with headlights on. This makes your vehicle more visible.

Keep a large distance between vehicles.

Steer with smooth and precise movements.

Be aware of bridges which are usually icier.

What to do if you get stuck or stranded in snow:

Don't panic!

Avoid over-exertion and over-exposure to the cold.

If unable to shovel your car out, stay inside the car until help arrives.

Stay in the car in blizzard conditions.

Turn on flashing lights, set up flares or tie bright clothing to antenna.

Run the car engine occasionally (about 10 minutes every hour) to provide heat.

Ensure that the tail exhaust pipe is free of snow.

Bundle up in a blanket or clothes.

Monitor for any signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Do not fall asleep. If there is more than one person in the car, take turns sleeping.

Tobey reminds you that fuel cans must be of a design approved by the Fire Marshall and they must be properly stored. Check out the information below relative to Child Safe containers. Don't forget "Pet Safe" containers, say's Tobey!

New Federal Law Mandates Child Resistant Portable Gasoline Containers

Safe Winter Driving Tips

Tobey reminds you: How to prepare for winter driving:

How to drive in winter weather:

What to do if you start to skid:

What to do if you get stuck or stranded in snow: