Play Safe

Electricity is dangerous because the human body is what's known as a conductor. This means that if an electrical current touches the body, it will pass through. It doesn't take a lot of electrical current to cause injury or death. This is why electrical wires must always be well insulated.

The Do's

• Keep away from outdoor areas marked with signs that say Danger or Danger High Voltage.
• Look up before you climb a tree. If there are hydro wires nearby, don't climb it.
• Fly your kite in wide-open spaces, away from trees and power lines.
• Stay out of open areas and away from trees during an electrical storm. Go indoors.
• Stay in the car during a storm because the rubber tires stop electricity from passing through it if it is struck by lightning or a fallen cable.
• Be careful with electrical cords.
• Keep cords away from heat and water.
• Turn off lamps when changing light bulbs.
• Keep combustible materials away from lamps or heating devices.
• Disconnect appliances before cleaning.
• Tell someone if you see a frayed electrical cord.
• Call the Fire Department in case of an electrical fire. If safe to do so, unplug the appliance and use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to douse the flames.
• Call 911 if you see a person who is seized on an electrical wire or appliance.

The Don'ts

• Don't play near electric equipment, wires, hydro towers or poles.
• Don't throw anything at wires, poles or any electrical equipment.
• Don't try to pull your kite down if it gets caught in wires. You could get badly hurt.
• Don't swim during an electrical storm.
• Don't touch anything metal such as plumbing while touching an electrical appliance at the same time.
• Don't handle an electrical appliance with wet hands.
• Don't place cords where people may trip on them and don't place them under furniture. The cords could fray or kink.
• Don't pull on cords to unplug them.
• Don't touch bare wires.
• Don't poke anything into an electrical outlet.
• Don't put your finger in a light bulb socket.
• Don't plug in electrical appliances in the bathroom unless specific safety receptacles have been installed.
• Don't use water to put out an electrical fire.

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