The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is supporting National Electrical Safety Month throughout May with a campaign aimed at raising awareness of electrical hazards and promoting safer practices in homes and workplaces.
National Electrical Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), focuses on reducing risks associated with electricity, including electric shock, fire hazards and workplace incidents.
NFPA said the campaign comes as homes, businesses and infrastructure become increasingly electrified through technologies such as electric vehicles, charging systems, energy storage and data centres.
Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, said: “As the world becomes more electrified and we continue to find new ways to harness and utilize electricity – from homes and workplaces to data centers, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging – raising awareness about electrical safety is more important than ever.
“By providing clear, practical information we empower individuals to recognize both the familiar and emerging risks and make safer choices. National Electrical Safety Month helps bring this message to a broader audience.”
As part of the campaign, NFPA is encouraging homeowners to use qualified electricians for electrical work, handle lithium-ion batteries safely, and follow recommended electric vehicle charging and maintenance procedures.
The organisation has also published safety resources for the public, including guidance on electrical safety, lithium-ion battery handling and electric vehicle safety.
NFPA said workplace electrical safety remains a significant issue, citing data showing that 147 workers died from exposure to electricity in 2023, compared with 145 deaths in 2022.
The organisation is advising professional workers and employers to de-energise equipment where possible, ensure installations meet NFPA 70 National Electrical Code requirements, and follow NFPA 70E safe electrical work practices in increasingly electrified environments.
NFPA said growing demand for infrastructure such as data centres, battery storage systems and EV charging facilities has increased the need for worker training and awareness of electrical risks.
The campaign also highlights NFPA’s ongoing Faces of Fire/Electrical awareness initiative, launched in partnership with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, which focuses on the human impact of electrical incidents and fire-related injuries.
Additional resources, including fact sheets, videos and training materials, are available through NFPA’s electrical safety platforms and press resources.
