Safety for children

Electricity towers, poles and substations can attract adventurous youngsters, but it is crucial that children understand the dangers of playing near this equipment.

Tips for children
Electricity is safe when it’s left alone, but can be dangerous, or even fatal, when tampered with. When you’re out and about, always stay well away from electrical equipment such as substations and overhead electricity lines.

Substations
Remember not to play ball games near electrical substations. If your ball, or anything else, falls inside a substation fence:

• Do check the name of the substation (it's on the gate) and call us on our emergency number. We will come and rescue your things safely and as quickly as we can. If you tell us where you live, we can usually deliver them home for you.
• Don't ever be tempted to get the ball yourself, even if it looks as though it's in reach.
• Don't try to poke anything through the fence to reach your ball. Even damp sticks can conduct electricity!

Overhead lines
When playing, be aware of overhead electricity lines and don’t play nearby. Never throw anything at an overhead line and never fly kites or model aircraft anywhere near an overhead electricity line. Electricity can jump gaps, so your toy doesn’t even have to touch the line for it to be dangerous.

If a kite or model aircraft is blown towards an electricity line you should:

• Let go of the string or any control wire immediately.
• Don't touch the string to pull the kite free. High voltage electricity can travel down the string.
• Keep yourself and other people well away.
• Ring our emergency phone number or call the police. We will safely remove the kite from the line. If you leave it hanging and don’t tell anyone, someone else could get hurt or even killed by touching the hanging string.