Better safe thanÉ There is nothing like having something dear threatened to make one aware of the essentially risky nature of being alive. We work hard to make everything perfect; to make everything safe. Sometimes no matter what we do, things go wrong. We have been living with our renewable energy system for over twenty years now. It is a good friend that has grown with us over these years. We were good enough friends that I invited it into our home. For years, our batteries have lived under my electronics workbench in our main room. Last December, one of our lead-acid cells exploded and disgorged acid all over the floor (gory details on page 69). While no one was hurt, I discovered that my friend had teeth! It is much easier to be aware of safety after a good scare. Home power systems are growing in size and power. With their growth must come increased awareness of safety. To this end, you will find articles in this issue dealing with system safety. From overcurrent protection to battery containment, we must make safety our number one priority. We have constructed a new battery room where the cells are safely contained away from our family. We are installing new wiring, circuit breakers, conduit, and fused disconnects. We've gotten a good scare and a good lesson. We are ready to give our system the respect it deserves. Please join us at Home Power in a New Year's resolution. Let's make our renewable energy systems safer than ever. Build that battery shed and get the cells out of the house. Install those disconnects, circuit breakers, or fuses. Give the old system a rewire job, put the wiring in conduit and NEC approved metal enclosures. Become aware that the same system that runs the lights can also burn down the house. Better safe thanÉ Richard