Do you have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets at your home? If yu don’t, consider having them installed. The simple technology makes a great addition to safeguarding you and your family from electrical hazards and accidents.

GFCIs automatically cut power when a connected electronic device comes in contact with water – helping to keep you safe and protected. The technology is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40 of a second.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, GFCIs have saved thousands of lives since the 1970s and have helped cut the number of home electrocutions in half. The National Electrical Code (NEC) first included a GFCI requirement in 1971 and has continually expanded the requirements since to include additional locations.

Today, NEC requires that GFCIs be used in all kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, crawlspaces and outdoor areas of newly constructed homes.

Common uses

When you think of outdoor and even indoor electrical safety, there are a variety of applications where GFCIs come in handy – including popular seasonal activities where electrical devices could easily accidentally meet with water. Some common scenarios include:

• Washer and dryer electrical outlets in home laundry rooms.
• Electric lawnmowers, shop vacuums, power tools and other appliances used in garages, basements or driveways.
• Holiday lights that plug into exterior outlets and could encounter snow and rainwater.

GFCI technology is relatively inexpensive but should always be installed by a certified electrician.

More information on GFCIs is available on the Electrical Safety Foundation website*.

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