Electrical Safety Month

WHEREAS, hundreds of people die and thousands are injured each year in the United States as a result of electrically-related incidents; and

WHEREAS, on average, there are 470 civilian deaths related to electrical home structure fires each year; and

WHEREAS, property damage resulting from home fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction amounts to more than $1.6 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, more than seven people are electrocuted each week in the United States; and

WHEREAS, following basic electrical safety precautions can help prevent thousands of people from being injured or killed each year; and

WHEREAS, citizens are encouraged to inspect their homes and workplaces for possible electrical hazards; and

WHEREAS, citizens are advised to protect their homes and families with the latest safety technology, such as ground fault circuit interrupters, arc fault circuit interrupters and tamper resistant receptacles; and

WHEREAS, citizens are urged to install, test and properly maintain an adequate number of smoke alarms; and

WHEREAS, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school and workplace through education, awareness and advocacy:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2013, as

Electrical Safety Month

in the state of Alabama and encourage all citizens to observe the importance of establishing and practicing electrical safety habits in the home, school and workplace to reduce the number of electrically-related fires, injuries and deaths.