26 October 2004 00:00 Central Networks urges families to BE SAFE over half-term break

With National Parents’ Week encouraging families to spend more time together and the school half-term holidays making sure that mum or dad is at home, this is a hectic week for families across the Midlands region.

As a result Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for the Midlands, is sending an important safety message to all its customers – BE AWARE AND KEEP SAFE.

Anita Davis, Central Network’s Public Safety Advisor said: “Electricity is everywhere and there are many unseen dangers. Across the UK over 350 people, many of them children, are injured each year through the misuse of electricity and the failure to recognise associated dangers.

“In a bid to cut these numbers we’ve created a simple guide to staying safe this week while also ensuring fun for all the family.”

Anita’s tips are:
•Play ball games well away from substations. If your ball has fallen into a substation never get it yourself. The rule is Stay away - Stay Alive! Call Central Networks on 0800 626555 and we will come and rescue your things safely, as quickly as we can;
•Never fly kites or model aircraft anywhere near overhead lines, as electricity can travel down string. If your kite gets tangled in the cables ring Central Networks immediately, someone else could get hurt or even killed by touching the hanging string.;
•‘Look Out and Look Up’ when fishing and don’t fish anywhere near overhead power lines, poles or pylons as modern carbon fibre rods conduct electricity.

Anita goes on to say: “If you experience the traditional British rain during half-term, you can always log onto Central Networks’ Power Discovery Zone rather than going outside. This website has been designed to be fun while also carrying important safety messages for children.”

Youngsters can find the site by logging on to www.powerdiscoveryzone.com. For further free information and advice please see our website www.central-networks.co.uk. In the case of emergency call Central Networks on 0800 626555.

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 – enough to go round the Earth almost four times – 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
•The fifth National Parents' Week, which is organised by the National Family and Parenting Institute, runs from Monday 25 October to Sunday 31 October 2004, and this year has the theme Time for Families.

For further information contact:
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer