Electricity and children don't mix. That is the message of "Born for Safety," a month-long program NECA is launching in May, National Electrical Safety Month, to increase awareness of the importance of electrical safety in the home.

This massive public service project, which commemorates NECA's 100th anniversary as the nation's largest trade association for electrical contractors, is designed to remind parents that the power of electricity should never be taken for granted, especially when children are around. The program has received the blessing and support of Chairman Ann Brown of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). NECA will donate approximately four million electrical outlet caps to hospitals around the country.

Local NECA chapters will distribute free electrical safety kits for area hospitals to give to the families of babies born in that month. Each safety kit contains a dozen electrical outlet safety caps along with general electrical safety information and home protection tips.

"Keeping children safe from electrical accidents is easy to do and should never be taken for granted," said NECA Executive Vice President and CEO John Grau. "That's why, as part of our 100th anniversary, NECA is sponsoring Born for Safety to provide parents with electrical outlet caps that can make the difference in child proofing your home and keeping your children safe."

According to reports by the Consumer and Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 2,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year from accidents involving electrical outlets. The CPSC has endorsed the nationwide effort.

"Born for Safety is a wonderful program that will provide parents of newborns with a simple and life-saving tool for their homes," said CPSC chairman Ann Brown. "Using electrical outlet caps is one of the easiest things parents can do to keep their children safe. I commend the National Electrical Contractors Association for partnering with hospitals across the country to provide this life-saving service."

Here are some scary statistics.

• 3,900 persons are treated in hospitals each year for electrical shocks occurring in the home.
• More than one-third of those treated for electrical shocks are small children who inserted metal objects into plugs.
• 5,300 house fires result each year due to overloaded outlets, wires kept under carpets, etc.

"For 100 years NECA has been committed to safely wiring America's communities for business and daily life," said Grau. "The Born for Safety program is our way of sharing with American families the need for electrical safety from day one."

Special Thanks:

Born for Safety outlet caps were quality manufactured by Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. and are UL® listed. Rexel, Inc. one of the largest distribution companies in the world, provided assistance in distribution.

Here's a list of participating chapters: