Annual Probability of Electrical Shock Injury at Home

Approximately 30,000 non-fatal electrical shock incidents occur in the United States each year, along with about 400 electrocution deaths. Home electrical accidents account for about one-third of these deaths. Electrical injuries send approximately 4,400 people to the ER annually.

The most common home electrical hazards include faulty wiring (responsible for about 67,800 home fires per year), overloaded outlets and extension cords, damaged electrical cords, water contact with electrical devices (particularly in bathrooms and kitchens), and DIY electrical work done improperly. Children face particular risks from inserting objects into outlets, though tamper-resistant receptacles (required in new construction since 2008) have reduced these injuries.

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are the most important home electrical safety device, cutting power within 1/40th of a second when a ground fault is detected. GFCIs have reduced home electrocutions by about 80% in areas where they are installed. Building codes require GFCIs in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, garages, and outdoor outlets. Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), which detect dangerous arcing that can cause fires, are now required in most habitable rooms of new homes.