North East parents urged to make sure kids are electricity safe over summer
Northern Powergrid say the power network can be dangerous
Children and teenagers across the North East are being urged to stay away from their local power network during the school holidays.
Northern Powergrid says retrieving items like balls, kites or drones, and even pets, from substations or the power network is extremely dangerous.
They say it is essential that children and young people know to stay away from their local power network, including substations and overhead power lines, cables and poles, and to remember that electricity jumps gaps, so even getting too close to electricity can cause injury or have fatal consequences.
Gareth Pearson, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Health, Safety and Training, said: “School may be out for summer, but safety is still very much in. We’re asking parents and carers to have a chat with their children and teenagers to make sure they know the dangers of electricity and that it’s us - Northern Powergrid - who they need to call on free-phone 105 if they accidentally kick a football into a substation, or manoeuvre a powered toy, or drone, into our overhead power lines.
“If older children are using drones this summer, plan ahead and make sure they’re well away from our power network.
“Remember our campaign slogan to ‘Look Up It’s Live!’ to check where overhead cables and power lines are located.
“Our safety animation helps to spread the vital safety message to children, and our free education assets can help power their summer if the weather takes a turn for the worse and you’d like indoor learning activities to keep them entertained.”
If anyone spots anything potentially unsafe, or a damaged electricity cable or pole, or they need help, they must call the company’s 24-hour team on free-phone 105 and specially trained engineers will be sent out to assist.
Northern Powergrid, via its educational safety programme, provides free resources for parents, carers and teachers to download and help engage children and teenagers to stay and play safe, and keep away from the power network.
To report an electricity network safety issue contact Northern Powergrid on free-phone 105. The national 105 number automatically directs people to their electricity distributor.
Information about power cuts or how to get extra support is also available on www.northernpowergrid.com or 24/7 via Facebook and X @NorthPowergrid. For more health and safety tips visit www.northernpowergrid.com/safety.