23 June 2005 00:00 Central Networks supports Child Safety Awareness Week

Central Networks, the company that operates the electricity distribution network for central England, is supporting Child Safety Awareness Week by reinforcing the message that luck is not enough to stay safe around electricity.

The theme for the week, which runs from June 20 to 26, is ‘Not every accident is a lucky escape’, with the message that you need more than luck to keep children safe.

Throughout the UK around 120 children are injured each year in electricity- related incidents and with the school summer holidays approaching more youngsters will be playing outdoors unaware of potential dangers.

Stephen Hennell, Central Networks’ Network and Public Safety Manager, said: “Child safety is a top priority and is a key part in our overall public safety programme.”

“We want all children to play safely and to understand the dangers of our electricity network that they can easily avoid,” said Stephen.

“All electricity systems are designed and constructed to be safe if left well alone. Children should understand that playing with our equipment means playing with their life.”

And to stay safe, Stephen urged local children to be on their BEST behaviour to ensure they stay safe:

B – Be safe and don’t climb electricity poles or pylons;
E – Electricity kills, don’t risk you life by touching any electrical equipment or wires that you may see and tell and adult if you see something that you think is dangerous;
S – Stay away from overhead lines with kites and fishing lines – they can conduct electricity which could seriously hurt or even kill you;
T – Tell an adult if your football goes into a substation – they’ll be able to call Central Networks who will get your ball back safely.

More 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.

Youngsters can find the site at www.central-networks.co.uk or by logging on to www.powerdiscoveryzone.com.

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