The latest figures from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-mission (CPSC) indicate that there were 440 total accidental electrocutions in 1999, 170 related to consumer-products. Twenty-nine of those related to household wiring, and another 29 related to small appliances. Twenty-two electrocutions involved large appliances like air conditioners, heat pumps and clothes dryers, 15 involved power tools, 13 involved ladders, 12 involved garden/farm equipment, 9 involved lighting, 3 involved antennas, and 38 involved a variety of other products such as pipes, poles, fences, wires, chains, pliers, tree stands and flying toys.
But that is only part of the story. According to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is an annual average of 111,400 home fires caused by faulty electrical distribution systems, electrical appliances and equipment, or heating and air conditioning systems, taking an average of 860 lives, injuring 3,785, and causing nearly $1.3 billion in property damage.