01 August 2004 00:00 Central Networks teaches kids essential holiday safety advice

With the school summer break here again, Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for the East and West Midlands, is warning children about the hidden dangers they could face from electricity.

Kids in the West Midlands can log on to Central Networks’ innovative website, the Power Discovery Zone, and find out how to spot the dangers and stay safe this summer.

Central Networks safety education officer Anita Davis said: “We want children to have a great time on their holidays, but we also want to make sure they’re safe.

“By logging on to the Power Discovery Zone children can learn how to spot possible dangers and what to do in an emergency by playing our safety spotter challenge.

“The safety spotter will keep children’s attention while ensuring they understand the vital safety advice”.

Central Networks top tips for staying safe this summer include:
Don’t fly kites or model aeroplanes near over head lines, electricity can travel down the string and electrocute people;
Before you start fishing, look out and look up to check that you’re as far away as possible from overhead power lines;
If your ball falls inside a sub station don’t climb inside to get it back. Instead call the local electricity distribution company who will be able to retrieve it for you safely.

More essential advice can be found on the website at www.powerdiscoveryzone.com.

Anita said: “As well as including the safety spotter there are jokes, games, quizzes and lots of fun things for children of all ages to do and make. “

The Power Discovery Zone is run by the newly-formed Central Networks, which brings together the electricity distribution business for the East and West Midlands in one company.

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 hour’s, contact 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer