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Electrical hazards that can lead to serious injury often go undetected because electricity occurs silently behind the scenes.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 400 accidental electrocutions in 2000. Many of these involve items you unconsciously use every day. It is important to recognize hazards before they cause a serious injury, disability, or fatality.

Electrocution occurs when the body provides the most direct pathway for electrical current to reach the ground. Electrocution can be prevented if a ground fault circuit interrupter is installed in the home. A GFCI detects any change in electrical current and abruptly switches off the power before electrocution can occur.

Not only are GFCIs a great way to protect you from potential electrocution, the National Electrical Code requires GFCI protection for most outdoor receptacles, bathroom receptacle circuits, garage wall outlets, kitchen receptacles, and ALL receptacles in crawl spaces and unfinished basements. Is your home protected with GFCIs?

The CPSC estimates that over 165,000 fires are caused annually by faulty electrical wiring. Arcing faults are one of the major reasons these electrical fires are started. When an arc occurs, it generates high temperatures that often exceed 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This high-intensity heat may ignite surrounding material like wood or insulation and quickly spread fire throughout your home.

An arcing fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed wiring, cables, or appliances. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports an absence of AFCIs as one of the three primary residential hazards associated with burns and fire-related injuries.

AFCIs continuously monitor electrical current flow and determine when there is unwanted arcing. Once unwanted arcing is detected, the AFCI trips the internal contacts and immediately turns off the circuit, reducing the chances of an electrical fire. Arc fault circuit interrupters are among the easiest and most cost-effective home electrical safety devices you can have installed.

• Pinched or pierced insulation on construction wires or cords
• Wires punctured by nails or screws when hanging things like pictures
• A chair leg sitting on an extension cord
• Cracked insulation on wire or cords from age, heat, chemical erosion, or stress
• Overheated wires and cords caused by overloading home electrical circuits
• Loose or improper connections
• Frayed or ruptured extension cords or appliance cords
• Electrical appliances that have damaged electrical parts
• Moisture or contaminants between conductors of different voltage
• Electrical wire insulation that rodents have chewed on