FOURTH-GRADERS LEARN ABOUT ELECTRICITY SAFETY

To help promote Electrical Safety Month in May, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) once again provided electricity safety demonstrations to fourth grade students at six elementary schools in the CWEC service area. Elementary schools included those located in Birnamwood, Bowler, Iola, Rosholt, Tigerton, and Wittenberg.   

The demonstrations were conducted by CWEC linemen, and showed students firsthand the dangers that could occur if they aren’t safe around electricity. Students got to see some of the safety equipment a lineman has to wear when they work around power lines. They were also shown examples of what overhead and underground power lines look like, and why they are constructed the way they are.  Linemen also showed the students what happens if a tree branch, kite string, and fishing line come in contact with a power line.

“It’s important for students to understand how dangerous electricity can be, and that they should never go near a downed power line or something that is in contact with a power line,” said Bert Lehman, member relations specialist at CWEC. “During the classroom demonstrations, students see smoke and sparks, which help to reinforce that they need to stay away from power lines.”

To help convey how dangerous electricity is, one of the demonstrations used a hot dog to simulate what would happen if a human body contacted a power line.

“Students are always amazed by the hot dog portion of the demonstration,” Lehman said. “They generally have a lot of questions about electricity after that.”

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

“Our linemen enjoy giving back to the community by providing these demonstrations to students,” Lehman said. “They feel it is important for kids to know why linemen take so many precautions when working around power lines, and why the public needs to stay away from power lines.”

To request a CWEC employee to speak to your organization

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.