(NAPSA)—Homerenovations add value. They also present a prime opportunity for an investment to improve a home’selectrical safety. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFT) is urging consumersto install are fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to protect all of the circuits throughout the home during renovations. AFCIs are electrical safety devices designed to prevent fires caused by dangerous electrical arcs. Arc faults are one of the major causes of the 73,500 residential electrical fires that occur each year. “Use of new AFCI technology could prevent 50 to 75 percent of these fires, saving hundreds of lives, reducing thousands of injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage annually,” noted Anne Mayberry, ESFI program manager. Arc faults do not necessarily create a sustained short circuit that causes a traditional circuit breaker to trip or a fuse to blow but can result in hot spots in wiring that can lead to a fire. AFCIs recognize the unique signature of harmful arcs and shut off the circuit to prevent a fire hazard. Ares can occur along thecircuit in residential electrical systems and at outlets and switches behind walls. Hidden electrical fires can spread rapidly, delaying detection by smoke alarms, reducing the chances of survival. Conditions that trigger are faults include: Damaged wires from nails driven into walls; Cracked insulation on wires due to agingor stress; Frayed wires at stress points; Loose or improper connec- tions, faulty electrical equipment; and Overheated electrical wires. ESFI recommends having AFCIs installed on all general purpose circuits throughout the home, particularly in older homes where arcing hazards could have developed over several years. For more information on electrical safety and ares, visit the ESFI web site at www.electricalsafety.org.
