Electrical Safety
Electricity keeps us cool in the summer, lights the house, and runs the TV, radio, and computer. Can you name other things that run on electricity?
But electricity can also be dangerous. It doesn't take much power to hurt someone. Electricity can shock, burn or even kill you! Electricity flows through water almost as easily as it travels through the wire that brings electricity to your house. Your body is 70% water. So if you touch electricity, it will flow through you and you will be hurt.
Avoid Electrical Shock
- Do not touch electrical cords that are broken or have wire showing.
- Do not play with or bite electrical cords.
- Do not stick fingers or any other objects into light sockets, appliances or electrical outlets.
- Do not overload outlets with too many plugs.
- Do not pull on cords to unplug things. Hold on to the plug itself.
- Do not touch anything electrical while you are wet or standing in or near water.
- If you ever find that a power line has fallen, STAY AWAY FROM IT and immediately tell an adult, who can call SWEPCO.
- Do not fly kites, model airplanes or balloons near power lines.
- Do not climb power poles or trees close to power lines.
- Do not touch or go next to electrical equipment. Stay away from anything that says "Danger", "High Voltage" or "Keep Out."
- Tell your parents to keep ladders and TV antennas away from power lines.
- NEVER go near electrical substations.
- Don't touch a fence if you see a fallen wire nearby. It could be energized.