04/30/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2024 04:56
Electrical accidents injure an estimated 1,000 people every day, and a whopping 79% of children report having taken risks with electricity. Younger children are especially inquisitive, but their innate curiosity can lead to trouble when it comes to electricity. With our dependence on electricity for everyday life increasing almost daily, educating children about its dangers from a young age is more important than ever. Here are some do's and don'ts to share with your family.
The electronics in our homes make our lives more efficient, easier, and more pleasurable, and there are some simple ways to ensure your family's safety that even a child can understand.
DO: Visit our e-SMART Kids site! A fun resource to teach children electrical safety with fun games and videos.
Danger lurks outside the home as well, whether it's in the form of an electrical storm or seemingly harmless activities like climbing a tree or flying a kite.
Unitil's eSmart Kids website has an electrical safety checklist that children can complete (with adult supervision), as well as The Electrical Safety-SMART! Certificate, which has six sections with information and experiments kids can try, plus a printable certificate of completion.
The best way to educate children about the dangers of electricity is by setting a good example. Explaining why you dry your hands before touching a light switch as you do so is a far more valuable teaching tool than simply reading a list of dangers aloud. And don't forget to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors periodically to ensure they're operable - it's the single most important way to keep your family safe in the event of a fire.