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School may be out for summer, but it’s a great time to teach your children about electric safety. Whether your kids spend their days outside running around your neighborhood or inside playing the latest video games, it’s important to remember we’re surrounded by electricity every day. Electricity is a very safe energy source, as long as you treat it with respect.

However, there are situations where electricity can be dangerous and create safety hazards if not taken seriously. We’ve outlined several of the most common safety hazards your kids may come across, and the safest ways for them to respond:

Our Children’s Electric Safety Activity Book is a great resource for you and your kids to learn about electric safety.

Our electric safety activity book is a fun and informative resource to help teach your kids about electricity.

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, utility poles or play on the green or gray metal boxes. These boxes are often found in front and backyards and are used for underground wiring. While they may seem harmless, these pieces of equipment could have electricity flowing through them and can cause serious harm if touched.

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. Don’t fly kites, drones or model planes in wet weather.

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 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 away from any power line and anything it is touching. Power lines don’t need to be sparking or buzzing for them to be transmitting electricity. If your child does see a downed power line, they should get to a safe location and immediately notify an adult so they can report it 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 our 200% accountable safety pledge.