With a few simple reminders and extra awareness, you can help keep outdoor play this summer as it should be—safe, sunny, and fun.
Start With What Kids Can See
Children are naturally curious and may not recognize electrical hazards the way adults do. You can help by pointing out power lines, pad-mounted transformers, substations, and other electrical equipment before playtime begins. When kids know what to look for, they are more likely to understand what to avoid.
Some good rules to teach are: Look up. Look around. Stay away. Remind kids never to climb trees near power lines, even if the lines are not touching the branches. Added weight from a child or movement by wind can bring limbs into contact with energized lines.
Keep Play Away From Power Lines
Kites, drones, model airplanes, and other flying toys should be used only in large, open areas, away from trees and overhead power lines. If a toy gets caught near a power line, do not try to retrieve it. Call GVEC at 800.223.4832 or the appropriate utility for help.
As you set up backyard play spaces, keep playground equipment, trampolines, treehouses, and pools away from power lines. Make sure outdoor outlets are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and keep outlet covers closed when not in use. Portable GFCIs can add protection when using older outdoor outlets that do not have them.
Teach “No Play” Zones
Make sure children know that utility poles, towers, pad-mounted equip-ment, and substations are not play areas. Pad-mounted equipment may look like a plain green metal box, but it contains energized electrical equip-ment and should never be climbed on, sat on, or played around.
Substations are especially dangerous because they contain high-voltage equipment. If a ball, toy, or pet gets inside a substation fence, never go in after it. Call for help instead.
Be Careful Around Water
Water adds another layer of risk, so teach kids and teens that water and electricity never mix. Keep electrical devices, cords, speakers, radios, and chargers at least 10 feet away from pools, hot tubs, sprinklers, puddles, and wet surfaces. When possible, use battery-operated items around water, but never handle any electrical device while wet.
If someone feels a tingling sensation while swimming, move away from the area where it was felt, get out of the water quickly, avoid metal ladders, and tell an adult immediately. Power should be turned off until the area can be inspected by a qualified professional.
Watch for Storm Hazards
Summer storms can also leave behind dangerous conditions. Stay out of the water before, during, and after thunderstorms, and teach children to report downed or dangling wires to an adult right away. Always stay far away from fallen power lines and assume the lines are energized. Even if they aren’t buzzing, humming, or sparking, they can still be carrying dangerously powerful electric current.
Stay safe! Have fun!
