Arlington, VA— The beginning of a new year often prompts positive lifestyle changes, and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is encouraging people to keep electrical safety in mind while they strive for improvement in 2013.  

In the United States, home electrical problems account for more than 51,000 fires each year, resulting in more than 490 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The colder weather the New Year brings also leads to the increased use of electrical products, making people more susceptible to electrical fires, electrocutions and injuries. Luckily, there are simple precautions that can be taken to help prevent electrical fires and keep families safe throughout 2013 and beyond.

“People make New Year’s resolutions with the hopes of improving their quality of life, and there is no better way to do that than by making sure their homes are free of electrical hazards that...