Electrical Safety Tips Just For Kids

Centerville 4th grader Chantell Cosner has a good electrical safety tip -- don't let pets chew on electric cords

Each year we send a lineman to talk to 4th grade students throughout the county. He gives kids these safety tips, and the most important one is LOOK UP and LOOK OUT!

Outdoors:

  • Never climb trees near power lines.
  • Stay away from a downed power line; you can't tell by looking whether a line is energized or not.
  • If a power line falls on your car after an accident, stay in your car. If you have to get -- if the car is on fire for instance -- jump out of your car, landing with both feet on the ground, then shuffle at least 15 feet away.

    Fly your kite safely:

  • Never fly kites or metallic balloons near power lines. Choose an open area away from power lines or poles.
  • Stay far away from power lines and anything that is touching them.
  • If your kite gets caught in a power line, do not touch the kite or string. Ask a grown-up to call the PUD.
  • Fly your kite only in good weather. If lightning strikes your kite it can hurt you.
  • Only use string to fly your kite. Never use wire, because metal conducts electricity. If you are holding the metal, the electricity can get to you.

    Indoors:

  • Keep fingers and other objects away from electrical outlets.
  • Plug cords all the way into outlets.
  • Never overload outlets with too many plugs.
  • Never pull a plug out by the cord.
  • Never use radios, hair dryers or other electrical appliances around sinks, baths or showers.
  • Never put metal silverware into the toaster, unless you unplug the toaster first.

    How and why electricity can kill you:
    In order for electricity to work, it needs to complete a complete a path back to its source. This path is called a circuit. Materials that allow electric current to flow are called conductors. Aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold and water are good conductors -- so are YOU. The human body is a good conductor because it is made up mostly of water. You don't EVER want to be in the path of electricity, because it will try to complete its path through you!

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    Last updated: 12/2009
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