24 June 2004 00:00 Central Networks’ Sparky teaches kids electricity safety

Central Networks’ Power Discovery Zone has a new character helping youngsters in the East Midlands learn important safety messages that could save their lives.

‘Sparky’ is already on the innovative interactive website from the electricity distribution company for the East and West Midlands. The site aims to teach children how to stay safe around electricity and to look out for dangers inside their homes and outdoors.

Central Networks Safety Adviser Jerry Carnell said: “The Power Discovery Zone website is designed to be fun but also educational. By including games, quizzes and experiments we hope to encourage children to log onto the site and take away important safety messages.

“Sparky is our new fun character who guides children around the site and teaches them what dangers to look for and what to do in an emergency. He’s very colourful and I’m sure kids will think he’s great fun.”

The exciting website is updated every month and includes games for children to play and a jargon buster which explains specialist wording found in the world of electricity.

Kids can also get ‘hands on’ and have a go at some of the fun experiments found on the site. They can make a quiz board, an electromagnet or even their very own torch.

There is also a new competition with children having a chance to win interactive science CD-ROMs.

Jerry said: “Kids can learn more about what’s going on in the Power Discovery Zone by logging onto www.powerdiscoveryzone.com. With jokes and a great competition too, there’s loads to do on the website.”

Ends

Notes to editors:
•Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings 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 in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779
Out of hours, contact 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer