Teach Kids to be Safe Outside

Oconto Electric Cooperative wants everyone to be safe around electricity and electrical equipment. If you teach children about electrical safety, they will grow up to be “safety aware” as adults. OEC recommends that children be taught to follow these rules:

·Never climb trees near power lines. Even if the power lines aren’t touching the tree, they could touch when more weight is added to the branch.

· Fly kites and model airplanes in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree that’s near power lines, don’t climb up to get it. Contact OEC for assistance.

Never climb a utility pole or tower.

· Don’t play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment.

· Never go into an electric substation for any reason - even on a dare. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment, which can kill you. Never rescue a pet or retrieve a ball or toy that goes inside. Call OEC instead.

· Teach older children to exercise caution before plugging in a radio, CD player, or any electrical gadget outdoors, and keep all electrical appliances at least ten feet away from hot tubs, pools, ponds, puddles and wet surfaces.

Make sure all of your family members know to stay away from downed power lines and wires, and tell children to report to an adult any fallen or dangling wires.