ESFI – New Year, New Safety Tips

Wrapping Up The Holidays

Nearly half of home fires occur during December, January, and February. Keep your home and family safe after the holidays by removing, inspecting, and storing all decorations by the first week of January. Learn more tips to keep yourself safe:
• 25% of holiday fires are caused by decorations.
• Never leave holiday decorations on while sleeping or away from home.
• 210 home fires a year are caused by Christmas trees.
• Fires caused by Christmas trees are usually deadlier than other fires.
• Inspect and dispose of any damaged decorations.
• Decorations are temporary. Remove them after the holidays.
• Separate and label indoor and outdoor decorations.
• Store decorations in a dry location that’s safely out of reach of children and pets.

Prevent Winter Fires

Winter Storm Safety Tips

The electrical dangers associated with downed power lines, portable generators, and submerged electrical equipment can still cause injuries and deaths once a winter storm has ended. Take the following precautions during severe weather:

Downed Power Lines
• Always assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least 35 feet away from a downed power line and any nearby objects it may be touching, such as a fence or a tree limb.
• Contact your utility company immediately to report downed power lines outside your home. Never touch a person or object that’s in direct or indirect contact with a downed power line.

Portable Generators
• Do not operate a portable generator in your home, basement, or garage. Generators can very quickly produce high levels of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
• Make sure that there is at least one working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test the batteries at least twice a year; when smoke detector batteries are tested.

Post-Disaster Flood Safety
• Do not use electrical appliances that have been exposed to water. Water can damage the internal components in electrical appliances and can cause shock and fire hazards in furnaces, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers.
• Have an electrician inspect electrical appliances that are wet, and do not turn on or plug in appliances unless an electrician tells you it is safe.

Prepare for Winter Storms

Space Heater Video Short

Space heaters can cause fires. Always be sure to turn them off when leaving the room, and never use them with an extension cord. Always keep them at least three feet away from anything that can cause fires. See more heating safety tips:

• Never use a cooking stove to heat your home or dry clothes.
• Place heaters on level, flat surfaces on the ground.
• Have a qualified service professional inspect your heating system annually.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms.
• Never use a space heater or any appliance with a damaged cord.

Heat Your Space Safely

Solar PV Connector Safety

Photovoltaic (PV) connector issues can cause fires and worker injuries. Proper installation is important as unskilled or untrained workers installing PV can lead to issues. Connectors provide connections between the array. There is no universal standard for PV connector design. Connectors with high operating temperatures may be the only warning sign of failure.

Recommended Installation Practices
• Use the same manufacturer or manufacturer provided tools.
• Proper tools must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Follow the connector manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use only connector parts of the same manufacturer. Interoperability issues may occur when using connectors from different manufacturers.
• 2020 NEC UL6703 requires that two parts of connector pairs must be tested together and certified for intermatability (items must be listed, and to be listed, they have to be able to work together).
• Ensure materials are kept from becoming soiled before installation. If damaged, soiled, or exposed to water before installation, there is no way to clean them.

Prevent Connector Failure

Thank you for all you do to make your community a safer place!

Sincerely,

Electrical Safety Foundation International