Each May, in conjunction with National Electrical Safety Month, linemen from Central Wisconsin Electrical Cooperative (CWEC) conduct electrical safety demonstrations for fourth grade students at six elementary schools in the CWEC service area. Elementary schools include those located in Birnamwood, Bowler, Iola, Rosholt, Tigerton, and Wittenberg.   

The demonstrations show students firsthand the dangers that could occur if they aren’t safe around electricity. Students have the opportunity to see some of the safety equipment linemen have to wear when they work around power lines, as well as what above ground and underground power lines look like. Linemen also show students what happens if a tree branch, kite string, and fishing line come in contact with a power line.

To help convey how dangerous electricity is, students are shown what would happen if a human hand touched a power line. A hot dog is used to demonstrate this.

Finally, students are informed about what to do if they are involved in a vehicle accident that results in a downed power line. And if need be, how to properly exit a vehicle in that situation.

If your organization or youth group is interested in having a CWEC employee speak at your event, contact the Co-op at 715-677-2211. We will be happy to arrange a program for you. Topics may cover safe electricity, cooperative principles, and/or any of the services or products the Co-op provides.

We have two different hotline demonstrations available.

The first is a table top, miniature farm setup that is used in classrooms to show how electricity flows and what can happen when different items touch power lines.

The second is a larger scale “hotline” setup built on a trailer using actual components of our power grid. This “hotline” demonstration is geared toward high school students and adults.