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DANGEROUS PLAY - CHILDREN AND ELECTRICITY DON'T MIX

Electricity is a clean, efficient, and instant energy source. We use electricity everyday so it is easy to take it for granted. But with electricity comes risk.

Children are naturally curious and like to explore their environment. Sadly, children have been badly injured as a result of coming in contact with things such as high-voltage substations, power lines and transformer boxes. A boy was badly burnt after putting his hand inside the lid of a vandalised ground level transformer box and touching high voltage live parts. Another boy received severe burns and fell after climbing a power pole and coming in contact with high voltage live parts. Another boy was badly burnt when he climbed into a tree and touched a live overhead line.

Keep yourself and your children safe around electricity by following these safety messages:

Don’t climb power poles, transmission towers or trees near electric power lines. If you touch a line, you will get a serious electric shock and burns. With high voltage lines, you don’t even have to touch the line to get a shock or burn – sometimes just being too close when electricity arcs means you can receive an electric shock. Remember that power lines will move in the wind and can rise and fall.

If you are using a ladder or handling a tall object near power lines, keep an eye on what is above you - don’t let it come in contact with power lines. You should keep yourself, and any objects you are handling, at least four metres away from overhead power lines. No one should enter substations for any reason. There is nothing to see except some wires, insulators, and big bars. Those big bars carry 33,000 volts or more – more than enough to kill anyone who touches them.

Treat electric transformers and electrical pillar-boxes on the side of the road with respect. If you notice any tampering or an insecure cover or door, don’t try to close it or even go near it. Contact your local electricity lines company or electricity retailer (refer to your power bill) or the Police immediately.

Take kites and model aircraft to large open areas like a park or a field, where you can fly them safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a power line or a tree near power lines, don’t climb up to get it. Contact your local electricity lines company or electricity retailer or the Police.

Never let children play near or climb on electric equipment such as power poles, substations or transformers. These are not play-things.

It’s up to us all to teach safe behaviour around electricity.

If you come across powerlines that have fallen to the ground (as can happen during a storm or vehicle accident), never assume that they are safe to touch or move. Lines can be live without any visible indication or may be relivened at any time. Call Northpower for assistance and keep everyone away from the lines until the faultmen arrive.