WHEREAS, in the United States hundreds of lives are lost, and thousands of individuals are injured each year as a result of electrically related incidents; and

WHEREAS, property damage resulting from home fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction amounts to more than $1.4 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, electrical safety devices such as ground-fault circuit interrupters, arc-fault circuit interrupters, surge protective devices, and tamper-resistant receptacles have saved numerous lives each year; and

WHEREAS, citizens are urged to install, test, and properly maintain an adequate number of smoke alarms and are advised to inspect their homes and workplaces for possible electrical hazards and to safeguard their homes and families through the use of the latest available safety technology; and

WHEREAS, adhering to electrical safety precautions and building codes can help prevent thousands of people from being injured or killed each year; and

WHEREAS, the Electrical Safety Foundation International is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace through education and increased awareness;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize May 2026, as ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.