Electrical Safety World Print1234567
Page 14: Olympic Kayaker’s Shocking Tale
Objective: To make students aware of the dangers of contacting underground power lines and the need to call before digging to locate buried utilities.
Discussion: Ask students whether they do odd jobs around the house that could involve overhead and underground power line contact. Ask them how they can take personal responsibility for avoiding power lines and other electrical equipment. Students’ answers may vary, but should include the following:
- Call the underground utility locator service so they can mark lines before you start a digging project.
- Keep ladders, paint rollers, and other tall equipment away from power lines.
- Keep power tools away from water.
- Plug power tools, lawn mowers, etc. into GFCI outlets.
Page 15: In Case of Emergency!
Objective: To teach students critical skills for responding to electrical emergencies.
Discussion: Ask students if they have ever witnessed an electrical fire or someone being shocked by electricity. What did they do? Would they do anything differently if the same situation happened today, based on what they now know about electricity and the proper way to respond to electrical emergencies? A fun way to reinforce the safety tips on this page is to ask students to develop a skit to demonstrate how to respond to electrical fire or shock. The skit should have two scenes: one showing an unsafe response and the consequences, and the other showing the safe response described on this page.
Back Cover
Objective: To encourage students to share important hazard prevention tips with their families.
Discussion: Explain each of the hazards on this list. Ask students if they can explain why it is a hazard. (1. Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause a fire. 2. Worn or frayed cords mean insulation can’t do its job so anyone who touches the cord could be shocked. 3. Cords under rugs or furniture can become worn or frayed without anyone’s knowledge, and can overheat or become a shock hazard. 4. Heaters close to anything that can burn can cause a fire. 5. People who dig without calling the underground utility locator service could hit a buried gas or electric line and damage the line or be hurt. 6. Water conducts electricity so appliances used near water can be a shock hazard.)
Homework: Ask students to take this inspection checklist home and to do the inspection with their families. Ask students to report back what hazards, if any, they found in their homes and whether/how their family fixed the hazard.