23 June 2005 00:00 Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s the world’s smallest kite and it’s in Shrewsbury
The world’s smallest kite took on a starring role at last weekend’s Shrewsbury Kite and Boomerang Festival, courtesy of Central Networks.
The kites were available free of charge from the Power Discovery Truck, Central Networks’ electricity safety vehicle which is designed to teach children about the dangers of electricity.
Stephen Hennell, Central Networks’ Network and Public Safety Manager, said: “These kites are a great tool to get across important safety messages to kids and adults alike and proved very popular at the show – we handed out over 100.
“If a kite becomes tangled in overhead lines, high voltage electricity can travel along the string, seriously burning or even killing whoever comes into contact with it. While these accidents are rare, it’s important people are aware of the dangers and the consequences”.
The ‘record breaking’ kites are made from red tissue paper and are only 11cm tall. They come with streamers to help them fly and their own red string which is long enough to have fun, but too short to allow the kites to come into contact with overhead electricity lines. The backing card in the packet also has kite flying safety tips.
Stephen said: “We’ve not heard officially that they’re the world’s smallest kite, but they are tiny and hopefully will prove popular with people from five to 105.
“But the most important thing about these tiny kites is that they carry with them a big and important safety message.”
If your kite is blown towards an electricity line Stephen has the following advice:
• Let go of the string or any attached control wire immediately;
• Do not attempt to touch the string to pull the kite free, high voltage electricity can travel down string;
• Keep yourself and others well away;
• Ring the number shown on the pole notice for help, we can safely remove the kite from the line. If you leave it hanging and say nothing, someone else could get hurt or even killed by touching the hanging string.
More electricity safety information can be found on Central Networks’ innovative Power Discovery Zone safety website which includes valuable information that could one day help save children’s lives.
The Power Discovery Truck is a free educational resource for primary schools across the Midlands region.
Anyone who would like the truck to visit their school, safety event or show can call 01332 39 38 49 or visit www.powerdiscoveryzone.com and follow the directions in the Teacher’s Zone.
The Shrewsbury Kite and Boomerang Festival took place at the Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology on June 18 and 19.
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 and photographs contact:
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer