Each May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a national reminder of something we often take for granted: the systems that power our homes, businesses, and communities must also be systems we can trust to be safe.
This year, that reminder carries added weight in Georgia. With Governor Brian Kemp’s proclamation recognizing May as Electrical Safety Month, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to move beyond awareness and toward action.
Because electrical safety is not just a household concern. It is foundational to how we build, grow, and protect our state.
Safety Is Infrastructure
As Georgia continues to experience rapid growth – from housing development and advanced manufacturing to data centers and increased electrification – our electrical systems are under more demand than ever before. At the same time, many homes and facilities still rely on aging infrastructure never designed to support today’s electrical load.
The national data is clear. Each year, electrical malfunctions cause approximately 23,700 residential fires, resulting in 305 deaths, 800 injuries, and more than $1.5 billion in property damage (U.S. Fire Administration). These are not abstract risks. They are preventable events tied directly to how electrical systems are designed, installed, and maintained.
That’s why building codes matter.
They are not merely technical documents. They establish the baseline for how we safeguard lives, protect property, and support economic growth across Georgia.
Understanding Recent Code Changes
In 2025, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs adopted amendments to the state building code that rolled back certain electrical safety requirements, including protections related to arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground‑fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These changes raise important safety concerns – particularly in residential settings, where electrical hazards most often result in injury or loss of life.
The amendments reduced or eliminated several safeguards widely recognized as effective. These included changes to GFCI requirements for appliances such as ranges, dryers, microwave ovens, and refrigerators, as well as the removal of AFCI requirements in areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms.
For many homeowners – and even some businesses – terms like GFCI and AFCI may be unfamiliar, but their purpose is straightforward. GFCIs help prevent electrocution by shutting off power when a ground fault is detected. AFCIs are a device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
The evidence supporting these protections is strong. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nearly 50 percent of home electrical fires could be prevented with proper AFCI protection. (AFCI Safety). Contractor field experience reinforces this finding. In multi‑state surveys that included Georgia, electricians responding to AFCI‑related service calls consistently reported dangerous arcing conditions – confirming that when AFCIs trip, they are often preventing a serious and otherwise hidden hazard.
Because of their proven effectiveness, building codes nationwide have expanded GFCI and AFCI protections over time. Georgia’s recent rollback therefore stands out from prevailing national safety trends.
It is also important to remember that building codes establish minimum standards. They do not always reflect the highest level of protection, particularly as electrical use continues to grow and risks evolve.
Where Awareness Meets Responsibility
Electrical Safety Month is an ideal time to close the gap between minimum requirements and best practices.
This is especially relevant in high‑use areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms – spaces where electrical demand, heat, and moisture converge. National fire data consistently shows these environments among the most common locations for electrical incidents, often involving everyday appliances like washers and dryers. (AFCI Safety)
For regulators, this moment calls for continued evaluation of how codes reflect real‑world conditions, keep pace with evolving technology, and remain aligned with widely adopted national safety standards.
For businesses and facility operators, it is an opportunity to go beyond compliance by assessing electrical systems, modernizing aging infrastructure, and ensuring safety investments keep pace with operational demands.
For homeowners, it is a reminder that small steps, such as updating outlets, avoiding overloaded circuits, and consulting licensed electrical professionals can meaningfully reduce risk.
Our Role in the Work Ahead
Across the advanced manufacturing community, we see firsthand how thoughtful design, quality materials, and proper installation contribute to safer homes, workplaces, and infrastructure. When protections are implemented correctly, they make a measurable difference.
But safety is not the responsibility of any single sector. It depends on collaboration among policymakers, manufacturers, inspectors, contractors, utilities, and local communities. It also requires ongoing education and a shared commitment not only to meet established standards, but to strengthen them as conditions and technologies evolve.
Electrical Safety Month offers an opportunity to pause and reflect. But more importantly, it is a call to action. The systems that power Georgia should do more than keep the lights on. They should protect the people who rely on them every day.
Laurie Tyson leads Siemens’ state and local government affairs focused on technology, infrastructure, and public‑private partnerships. She is based in Metro Atlanta.
