No matter the season or occasion, it’s always a good time to talk with your children about electrical safety — at home and outdoors. Whether they’re exploring new spaces, enjoying playtime after school or simply curious about their surroundings, helping kids understand how to stay safe around electricity is a lesson that never goes out of style.
Here are the most common safety hazards your kids may come across and the safest ways for them to respond:
Climbing trees
Teach your children to look up and walk all around a tree before climbing to make sure there are no power lines passing through the branches. They should never climb a tree that is touching or near a power line.
Stay off electrical equipment
Children should also never climb transmission towers, poles or play on the green or gray metal boxes. These boxes are often found in front and backyards and are used for underground cables. While these boxes are designed to protect important electrical equipment, and people should NOT touch them, as they can pose a safety risk.
Flying kites and drones
Fly kites, drones and model airplanes in open areas, well away from overhead wires. Avoid kites with wire, metal or foil parts, as they conduct electricity and can be dangerous to the person holding them.
Check your plugs and outlets
Inspect cords and plugs regularly, and replace damaged ones. To prevent damage, teach your children to pull near the plug, not on the cord when unplugging an electric device.
Electricity and water
Electricity and water don’t mix. Teach your children to never step in or touch water if it’s in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords. Make sure they know NOT to use electrical appliances when wet or standing in water.
Storms
Children should never play outside during a storm and need to be extra careful of their surroundings when going outside after a storm. Power lines may have fallen and may be hidden by debris. These lines are extremely dangerous and can be fatal if touched.
An easy reminder for your kids is to always stay at least a school bus distance (25 feet) away from any power line and anything it is touching. Report downed power lines immediately to DTE.
For more, watch our video on storm safety with your kids.
Children’s Electric Safety Activity Book
Our electric safety activity book provides a fun way for children to learn about electricity, everything it enables us to do and the dangers to look out for when using it. The book has everything from coloring and word scrambles to safety checklists and DTE’s 200% accountable safety pledge.
Our electric safety activity book is a fun and informative resource to help teach your kids about electricity.