13 March 2008 12:10 Central Networks reminds children to stay SAFE over Easter holidays

That is the message from power distribution company Central Networks, which is reminding children across the Midlands to keep well away from its electrical equipment and stay safe while having fun over the Easter break.

Central Networks already takes its electricity safety teaching vehicles, the Power Discovery Trucks, into schools across central England to teach children about the dangers posed by electricity, but some are still unaware of the dangers they face when playing near power lines.

"The start of some of our lessons are often interrupted by a child, full of bravado, saying they and their mates have gone into substations in the past," said Graham Coles, Public Safety Manager at Central Networks.

"It's only when they continue their lesson that those children fully appreciate how dangerous their actions have been. 

"By the end of the session, when they understand that their ‘play' could have ended their life, they become much more serious and we're fairly sure that they'll think twice about it in the future."

To get the special safety message across over the coming Easter holidays, the company is asking local youngsters to be on their best behaviour and stay SAFE:

S ­- Stay out of substations and do not climb electricity poles or pylons

A - Always look out for overhead power lines - take care using kites, fishing rods or model aeroplanes

F - Find a place to play that isn't near electrical equipment

E - Electricity can kill so play safe and stay safe

Graham said: "I'm sure children across the region are looking forward to the start of the Easter holidays and, by remembering a few basic safety rules and not taking unnecessary risks, they can still have fun and keep themselves safe.

"It's important children understand that playing with our pylons, overhead lines or substations could mean playing with their lives."

Central Networks has set up a website (www.powerdiscoveryzone.com) especially designed for children, with fun activities to teach them about electricity, and how they can learn to recognise the dangers around the home and in the street.

The website contains jokes, competitions, games and fun facts.

The Power Discovery Truck is a free educational resource for primary schools across the Midlands. Teachers who would like to request a visit from the truck to their school should visit www.powerdiscoveryzone.com and follow the directions in the Teacher's Zone.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 4.9 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 Power Discovery Zone website (www.powerdiscoveryzone.com) is designed to support the Central Networks Power Discovery Truck which is a free resource that visits local schools to teach pupils about electricity and electrical safety.
• Teachers who would like the truck to visit their school should go to www.powerdiscoveryzone.com and follow the directions in the Teacher's Zone.

For further information contact:

Andrew Barrow on 024 7618 3677

A selection of Central Networks pictures is available free of charge to the media by registering at www.newscast.co.uk and looking under Distribution