Dangerous Play – Children and Electricity Don’t Mix - Media Statement
[ Last Updated 8 March 2006 ]
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, this year, children have been badly injured as a result of coming in contact with things such as high-voltage substations, power lines and transformer boxes.
In January, a ten-year old boy was badly burnt after opening the door of a ground level transformer box and touching high voltage live parts. In March, another boy received severe burns and fell after climbing a power pole and coming in contact with high voltage live parts. That same month, an eight-year old boy was badly burnt when he climbed onto the roof of a substation to get into the high voltage switch-yard and then touched live parts.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs’ Energy Safety Service has these tips to help keep you and your kids safe around electricity:
- Don't climb power poles, transmission towers or trees near electric power lines. If you touch a line, you could get an electric shock and burns. With high voltage lines, you don't even have to touch the line to get a shock. Electricity can arc across relatively large distances from high-voltage lines. 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 on 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 – 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 the electricity lines company immediately.
- Fly toys such as kites in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree near power lines, don't climb up to get it.
- 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 you to teach kids safe behaviour around electricity.
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