The Shadow
With summer upon us and the 4th of July holiday nearing, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is reminding everyone to be aware of potential electrical hazards that exist in waters near marinas and launch ramps, around docks and piers, and in swimming pools and hot tubs.
While the public remains largely unaware of electrical dangers posed in water environments such as electric shock drowning (ESD), each year people are injured or killed from these hazards. The primary cause of ESD is faulty electrical wiring or equipment on boats or piers that cause electrical current to leak into surrounding water. This energized water can then pass through a swimmer’s body causing a level of paralysis that can ultimately cause serious injury or drowning.
“During warm weather months, NFPA is committed to educating the public to help prevent injuries and fatalities in swimming and boating areas,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach & Advocacy. “Never swim near a marina, dock, or boatyard. And always have a qualified professional inspect your boat before engaging in any water activities to ensure that all safety measures and protection systems are functioning properly.”
Spring and summer are also the ideal seasons to have swimming pool equipment, hot tubs, and spas inspected and properly maintained. This ensures vital life-saving safety components, such as ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection and all grounding and bonding systems, are functioning properly. A qualified electrician can periodically inspect and, if necessary, replace or upgrade the electrical devices or equipment that ensure the electrical safety of a pool, spa, or hot tub.
“When installing a new pool or hot tub, have an experienced electrician handle the wiring, as they are familiar with the specific safety requirements for these installations,” adds Carli. “Stay vigilant for any signs of problems, such as underwater lights that are not functioning properly, flickering, or working intermittently. By taking simple safety precautions, we can help minimize the risk of ESD and its related dangers, ensuring that everyone can safely enjoy boating and swimming activities this season.”
Available resources for swimmers, pool, and boat owners:
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Video: The Hazards of Electric Shock Drowning (ESD)
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NFPA Podcast: Hazards in the Water
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Safety tip sheet: Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
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Safety tip sheet: Marina and Boating
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Video: Electric Shock Drowning: What is it?
Resources for electrical professionals and marina owners:
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Webpage: ESD and NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®
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Blog: An Electrical Inspector’s Role in Reducing Electric Shock Drowning
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NFPA Podcast: ESD from a Code Perspective
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Blog: Making Your Marina Safe for Summer
NFPA has additional information and resources for swimmers, boat, and pool owners, including commonly asked questions, safety tips, videos, and checklists that can be downloaded and shared. Visit nfpa.org/watersafety to learn more.
