Wiktor Wise
It is important to teach children about electricity and electrical safety. While it is natural for children to be curious, this curiosity can be dangerous when it comes to electricity. Children can be taught about electrical safety through hands-on activities, such as building a circuit, and by discussing the dangers of electricity and how to protect oneself from them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Playing near electricity | Avoid playing near or on green transformer boxes or substation fencing. |
| Electrical appliances | Keep electrical appliances away from water sources. |
| Water activities | Avoid swimming during a storm, especially after hearing thunder or seeing lightning. |
| Electrical wiring | Regularly check and replace outdated electrical wiring to prevent fire hazards. |
| Safety caps | Use safety caps or covers on electrical outlets to protect against accidental contact or shock. |
| Foreign objects | Keep foreign objects away from electrical outlets to prevent injuries and accidents. |
| Extension cords | Use extension cords safely by hiding them behind furniture or using cord management solutions. |
| Electrical devices | Store electrical devices out of reach or behind barriers to prevent unauthorized access. |
| Batteries | Educate about the risks of batteries and how to recharge them safely. |
| Power lines | Be cautious of power lines when climbing trees or engaging in activities near them. |
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What You'll Learn
Keep electricity away from water
Water and electricity don't mix. Water can damage electrical equipment and outlets, and it's a safety risk for you and your family. Water can find its way into electrical outlets and cause electrical malfunctions, short circuits, and power outages. Water creates a path for electricity to flow, increasing the risk of electric shock.
Electricity always tries to find the easiest path to the ground, and water can help it do that. The human body is a good conductor of electricity—and our bodies are 70% water! So, if you touch an electrical appliance when you are wet or standing in water, the electricity will flow through you. That's why it's really important to keep electrical appliances away from water.
Keep electrical appliances away from water sources, and never operate them with wet hands or when standing on wet surfaces. Don't put any electrical appliance within five feet of a bathtub, sink, or swimming pool. Any electric outlets in wet areas of the home, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, should be equipped with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). GFCIs are electrical safety devices designed to quickly shut off power in the event of a ground fault.
Use battery-operated, rather than electric, appliances near tubs, sinks, and swimming pools. Don't touch any electric appliances until you are dry. Teach kids not to splash water out of the bath towards electric outlets.
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Don't play near electrical substations
Electrical substations are very dangerous places. They are usually surrounded by fences to keep people out, but sometimes people try to climb these fences and enter the substation. This is extremely unsafe, and under no circumstances should you ever do this. Substations contain a lot of dangerous electrical equipment, such as power transformers, which can cause serious injury or even death. Even flying a kite near a substation can be very dangerous, as the electricity can travel down the string of the kite and hurt you.
If you see a substation, you should stay far away from it. Don't climb any fences or try to enter the substation. If your ball or toy goes inside the fence, don't go in after it. Ask an adult to call the electric company, and they will come and get it for you.
Although substations are dangerous, it's important to know that they are designed to be safe for people living or working nearby. The equipment inside a substation doesn't produce a strong electric field that can harm you. It does create a magnetic field, but this quickly becomes weaker as you move away, and it's usually lower than the magnetic field in your home. So, while it's important to be careful around substations, you don't need to worry if you live close to one.
Some people have shared stories about health problems they believe are caused by living near substations. They have reported symptoms like itchy skin and headaches, and they are worried about the risk of cancer from radiation exposure. However, there is no strong evidence that living near a substation causes these health issues. The levels of radiation from substations are quite low, and independent scientific studies have shown that the health risks from this radiation are very low. So, while it's always good to be cautious around electricity, you can feel reassured that substations are designed with your safety in mind.
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Don't yank cords from the wall
When you're in a hurry, it can be tempting to yank cords from the wall to quickly remove an appliance. However, this can be very dangerous and can cause damage to the appliance, the plug, or the outlet. Yanking cords can also be dangerous as it can cause electric shocks. The human body is a good conductor of electricity, and electricity moves quickly through water—and our bodies are made up of 70% water!
Electricity always follows the path of least resistance to the ground, and when you yank a cord, you might become part of that path. This means that you could receive a serious electric shock, which can be deadly. The electricity could also cause your muscles to tighten up, making it almost impossible to pull away from the circuit.
Instead of yanking cords from the wall, always take the time to properly unplug your devices. Pull from the plug itself, rather than the cord, to avoid any potential damage or accidents. This is especially important if you're using temporary extension cords, which should be hidden behind furniture or secured with a hide-a-cord device when not in use.
Remember, electrical safety is important, and by following simple rules like unplugging devices properly, you can stay safe and avoid any potential hazards. It's always better to take a few extra seconds to be cautious!
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Stay away from power lines
Power lines are extremely dangerous, and it is important to know how to stay safe around them. Overhead power lines carry high-voltage electricity, which can be very dangerous if you come into contact with it. Even if you don't touch a power line, getting too close can be deadly as electricity could still pass through your body.
Staying at least 10 feet away from power lines is crucial. This includes when you are raising a ladder or pole—make sure it is not within 10 feet of any power lines. If you are using a ladder outdoors, it is safer to use a wooden or fibreglass ladder as metal ladders conduct electricity.
If you enjoy flying kites, balloons, drones, or model aircraft, it is important to keep a safe distance from power lines. Always position yourself so that the wind will carry these objects away from power lines. If something does get caught on a power line, do not try to retrieve it. Contact your local utility company, and they will safely remove the item.
If you are ever in a vehicle that comes into contact with a power line, it is important to stay inside the vehicle and call for help. Do not touch the outside of the vehicle and the ground at the same time, as you could get an electric shock. If you must leave the vehicle, hop out with your feet together, making sure to land on both feet. Then, continue to hop with your feet together to get as far away as possible.
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Don't stick objects into outlets
It is important to never stick anything into an electrical outlet, even if you are curious. Electrical sockets are dangerous and can cause serious harm if you touch them or stick anything inside. This is because the human body is a good conductor of electricity, which means electricity can flow through our bodies. Electricity travels at the speed of light, so you will feel the effects of an electric shock immediately.
Electricity always tries to find the fastest path to the ground, and it will pass through anything that helps it do that. If you stick a metal object into an electrical outlet, the electricity will pass through the object and into you, giving you an electric shock. Even if the object is not metal, it is still dangerous to put it into an electrical outlet. The object could get stuck, and the next person might not realise it is there and could get hurt.
If you need to clean an electrical outlet, do not stick anything inside it. Instead, use a non-conducting (and dry) cloth or cotton swab on the outside of the outlet. If you need to clean the internal contacts, insert and remove a power cord several times. This will keep you safe and make sure that nothing gets stuck inside.
If you are using extension cords, hide them out of sight so that you are not tempted to play with them. Make sure that all unused electrical outlets are covered with safety caps. This will help to keep you safe and will also save energy by stopping cold drafts.
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Frequently asked questions
Never reach behind electrical appliances or plug sockets with your hands or any metal object. Always ask an adult to help you unplug the appliance first.
Stay at least three yards away from it and never touch it. If you are in a car that collides with a power line, stay inside the vehicle and wait for help. If you must leave the vehicle, do not touch the car and the ground at the same time. Instead, hop out with your feet together and continue hopping until you are a safe distance away.
Never touch plugged-in appliances or touch water that has an appliance plugged into it. Ask an adult to turn off the appliance at the fuse box or circuit breaker.
