Children to attend electricity safety workshops

Around 340 primary and junior school pupils are expected to attend EDF Energy Network's hard-hitting safety workshops which will take place during May.

Children taking part in the sessions will be taught about the hazards of playing near substations, and overhead power lines, and will learn how high voltage electricity can jump gaps and be conducted through anything, including fishing rods and kites, with tragic consequences.

In addition they will see a video about a young boy who is fatally injured after ignoring triangular 'Danger of Death' signs and entering a substation.

Heather Fulford, EDF Energy Networks education adviser, said:

"These workshops ensure that the children understand the potential consequences of fooling with electricity. The children really benefit from the visits and learn valuable safety lessons which will last them a lifetime."

Local school's which education advisers will visit include St Peter and St Paul Primary School, and All Saints School, Sidley.

EDF Energy has a special website to show children aged seven to fourteen the wonders and dangers of electricity.

The Power Up website www.edfenergy.com/powerup also provides information for teachers and parents.

Any school or educational group that would like to increase awareness of electricity among pupils should contact EDF's education team on (01342) 413480.

EDF Energy's Programme for Greener Schools, which aims to reach 2.5 million children by 2012, encourages teachers and schools to share examples of best practice with others via the scheme's website, known as The Pod (www.jointhepod.org).

Participating schools can blog their projects, share images, movies, podcasts and written work, which will be accessible to other registered schools who wish to start similar activities.