sets in, parents and guardians cannot follow their children everywhere;
however, a few electrical safety basics can follow them wherever the fun
takes them — the backyard patio, the pool or the park.
“It is important that parents make electrical safety a priority for
summer, especially as kids begin a three-month journey of newfound
freedom,” said J. Barry Mitchell, president of ComEd. “We encourage parents
to sit down with their kids and visit http://www.comedsafety.com/ for
electric safety lessons taught through fun, interactive games as well as
review our safety basics checklist with everyone in their family.”
— Be aware of power lines around you and always assume that wires are
“live and dangerous.” Never touch an outdoor wire with any part of
your body, toys or other objects.
— Do not throw items such as gym shoes onto electric lines and equipment
or try to retrieve items from around aerial power lines.
— Fly kites and model airplanes and other toys in large open areas such
as a field or a park — safely away from trees and overhead power
lines. Also, do not attempt to retrieve balloons, kites or other
objects that may get stuck on power lines or other electrical
equipment. Instead, call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661).
— Do not climb trees near power lines. Even if power lines are not
touching the tree, they could touch during climbing when more weight
is added to a branch.
— Never climb a utility pole, or play on or around electrical equipment.
— Never post or tie signs, hang banners or tie ribbons or balloons onto
utility poles or other electrical equipment. This can be dangerous to
you and endanger utility workers.
— Do not go into an electric substation for any reason — even on a
dare. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment, which can
kill you. Also, never attempt to rescue a pet that goes inside.
Instead, call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661).
— Never try to rescue a family member, friend or pet that has come into
contact with any electrical equipment — Call 911 immediately.
— Keep electrical toys, appliances and tools at least 10 feet away from
pools and wet surfaces.
— Never touch any electrical toys, appliance and tools while you are wet
or standing in water. Energy flows easily through water.
To incorporate fun into safety lessons for kids, visit
http://www.comedsafety.com/ and learn about Louie the Lightning Bug’s
Safety Ranger program. These interactive Web pages use games, experiments,
information and activities to help keep everyone in the family safe.