r m SarT (X 7 ) 2 n n LT ch ( Advic On Avoiding Dadly Elctrical Firs (NAPSA)—Firsafty is no acci- dnt. About 40,000 rsidntial lc- trical firs and 350 daths occur ach yar, th majority of which ar causd by faulty appliancs, xtnsion cords, powr strips, and hiddn hazards with lctrical circuits. In addition to making sur thatall appliancs, plugs, and cords ar in good working ordr, consumrs can add an xtra layr of protction by installing a nw fir safty dvic: an ar fault circuit intrruptr (AFCD. Elctrical Safty Foundation Intrnational (ESFI) is at th forfront of th fight to rduc lctrical firs, and rcommnds that parnts and homownrs inspct and protct against hazards potntially lurking bhind thir walls. “Elctrical firs, spcially thos causd by faulty wiring, ar among th most dadly bcaus th fir can start bhind th wall and sprad throughout much of th hom bfor bing dtctd,” warnd ESFI xcutiv dirctor Michal G. Clndnin. “AFCIs offr a protction from thosfirs w'v nvr hadbfor.” AFCIs provid a mor advancd dfns against lctrical firs, by dtcting and stopping lctrical ars. An ar can occur whn an lctrical wir is puncturd or ovrhats and is a sign that an lctrical fir may soon start. AFCIs hav spcial tchnology that maks it mor snsitiv to dangrs along an lctrical circuit that cannot b dtctd by most brakrs and fuss. Though lctrical products ar bing mad safr, homownrs should still hd th following Bil Elctrical firs, spcially thos causd by faulty wiring, ar among th most dangrous bcausthfir can start bhind a wall and sprad bfor it is dtctd. advic to avoid potntially fatal lctrical firs: Look for tlltal signs of lctrical problms such as dimming of lights, frqunt circuit brakr trips or blown fuss. Ask a qualifid lctrician if your hom would bnfit from AFCI protction, spcially during inspctions of oldr homs or upgradsto lctrical systms. Limit th us of xtnsion cords, us thm only tmporarily, and nvr with spac hatrs or air conditionrs. Us light bulbs that ar th propr wattag for th fixtur. Mak sur smok alarms ar installd on vry floor outsid slping aras and in vry bdroom, and ar in good working ordr. For additional lctrical safty information, visit th Foundation’s Wb sit at www.lctricalsafty.org or call 703-841-3229.
