How to Avoid Counterfeit Electrical Goods Sample Press Release
City, State— [Insert Company/Organization Name]is partnering with the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to help reduce electrically-related fatalities, injuries, and property loss by informing the public about the hazards of counterfeit electrical goods and how to avoid them.
Many contractors may not realize they are purchasing or using counterfeit electrical products. In order to avoid this danger, it is imperative to verify that your purchases have been tested and certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, and that you hire experts who purchase products from reputable distributors.
A vital part of rebuilding after a storm includes selecting and installing devices with caution, rather than rushing to complete a job. “As a contractor, you’re responsible for ensuring that you purchase products from reliable sources that will keep your customers safe,” says[Inset Company/Organization contact]. “Counterfeit electrical goods can cause electric shock, death, or ignite a fire when you least expect it.”
Reputable electrical products are tested and certified to nationally recognized product safety standards by companies such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL), and the Canadian Standard’s Association (CSA). These certification marks protect everyone in the marketplace.
Today, counterfeits are more sophisticated than ever, making them difficult to spot. Counterfeit electrical products come in all shapes and sizes, from cheap receptacles to expensive, high-voltage circuit breakers.Other unintentional consequences include using websitesselling counterfeit products which commonly contain malware that could damage your computer or phone. Counterfeit profits have also been traced to organized crime and terrorism.
“Saving a few dollars here and there is not worth risking your reputation, your business, and the lives of other people” warns ESFI President, Brett Brenner.
ESFI’s new “Rebuilding and Renovating Safely” Toolkit provides consumers and contractors with resources to avoid counterfeit electrical goods, as well as a quick reference for when to replace versus recondition water damaged electrical equipment, and a series of important points highlighting why you should only hire qualified electricians to perform electrical work.
750,000 jobs are lost every year due to counterfeiting, while 87% of counterfeits originate in China and Hong Kong. Support national, reliable companies while keeping your customers, family, and property safe by purchasing genuine electrical goods. Learn more about the dangers of counterfeits at
[Insert Organization boilerplate]
About ESFI:
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to increase public awareness of the electrical hazards around us at home, work, school, and play. ESFI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety. For more information about ESFI and electrical safety, visit