22 April 2004 00:00 Birmingham youngsters urged to ‘Play Safe-Stay Safe’ by Central Networks

‘Play Safe–Stay Safe’ is the message being given out to schoolchildren in Birmingham by Central Networks.

Children aged between 10 and 11 are being taught about the dangers they could face if they interfered with or played near electricity equipment such as substations, pylons and overhead lines.

Safety Education Officer, Anita Davis said: “Most children are aware of the dangers associated with electricity in the home, for example not switching on lights with wet hands and not putting anything they shouldn’t do into wall sockets,

“However, they also need to be aware that there are many potential dangers outside the home - substations, pylons and overhead power lines are all things they see every day but can also be very dangerous. Yet, despite the dangers, they can be targeted by vandals.

“In some cases, children don’t understand that, by spraying graffiti on a Danger of Death sign, they can put someone else’s life in danger.”

The initial visits are being made to schools in areas where there have been recent vandal attacks to Central Networks equipment.

If you would like Central Networks to visit your school, please contact Anita on anita.davis@central-networks.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity bringing power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations.
Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District to parts of Bristol and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
Schools to be visited:
Audley Primary School, Birmingham
Bosworth Wood Primary School, Castle Bromwich
Brownmead Junior & Infant School, Birmingham
Castle Bromwich Junior School, Castle Bromwich
Coleshill Heath Junior & Infant School, Chelmsley Wood
Moseley CE Primary School, Birmingham
Rosary Catholic Primary School, Birmingham
St. Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Birmingham
St. Patrick’s RC Primary School, Chelmsley Wood
Timberley Primary School, Birmingham
Trescott Junior & Infant School, Birmingham
Whittington Oval Junior & Infant School, Birmingham
Yorkmead Junior & Infant School, Birmingham
Yorkswood Primary School, Birmingham
Moor Hall Primary School, Sutton Coldfield

For more information contact:
Rebecca Jackson on 024 7642 4583