Eaton Honors National Electrical Safety Month With Top Four Electrical Safety Tips for Homeowners

May 23, 2016

PITTSBURGH, PA … Power management company Eaton, an EPA 2016 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year, is highlighting electrical safety tips for homeowners during National Electrical Safety Month this May. With Eaton’s top tips, homeowners can help reduce their risk of electrical fires, which cause approximately $5.9 billion in property damage to one- and two-family homes each year.

“Many homeowners may not be aware of the steps they can take to help protect their homes and families from electrical shock or fire, or even if their home is at risk,” said Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International. “Electrical outlets, for example, seem simple but can do much more than just provide electricity – they can save lives by helping prevent shocks, burns and fires.”

To help advise homeowners, Eaton is sharing the Top Four Signs your Home Needs an Electrical Makeover, including:

1. Plastic safety caps on receptacles. Each year, more than 2,400 children are injured by inserting foreign objects into receptacles. Tamper resistant receptacles provide integral protection and are far superior to removable plastic caps.
    
2. Flickering lights and tripping breakers. If you try to use more electricity than a circuit can provide, the whole room may go dark. If your home does not have the capacity needed to meet your family’s lifestyle, a certified electrical contractor can help provide options for increasing the circuit’s capacity.
    
3. Wet switches or receptacles. Damp or wet locations, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, increase the risk for electrical shock. Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection is required by code in all wet areas, but older homes and their occupants may still be at risk if they do not meet the latest code requirements.
    
4. Conventional circuit protection. Arcs or sparks caused by loose connections or damaged wires usually occur out of sight behind walls. Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can detect these arcs and turn off power before an arc causes a fire, unlike standard breakers and fuses.

“Eaton’s innovative residential technologies help connect, protect and manage electrical loads from the service entrance to the wallplate,” said Rachael Elliott, director, Marketing, Eaton. “As we celebrate National Electrical Safety Month, we encourage homeowners to identify and mitigate potential electrical hazards.”

For more information about Eaton’s electrical safety solutions for homeowners, visit www.eaton.com/residential.

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton is a power management company with 2015 sales of $20.9 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 97,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

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