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PARENTS ASKED TO REMIND YOUNGSTERS TO STAY SAFE THIS FEBRUARY HALF-TERM

Danger of death keep out sign.jpgNorthern Powergrid, the company responsible for the network which powers everyday life across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is asking parents and guardians to talk to the young people in their lives about the dangers of playing near the region's electricity network.

The electricity distributor is recommending that parents spend just five minutes this February half term reminding children to stay away and stay safe if playing outdoors.

Geoff Earl, director of safety, health and environment at Northern Powergrid, said: “Thousands of school children are likely to be spending time outdoors enjoying the break from school .  We want to ensure they stay safe.

"Its vital that young people are reminded of the dangers of power lines and substations and understand that interfering, accidentally or otherwise, with any part of our electricity network could potentially prove fatal.  That's why we’re asking all parents and guardians to spend just a few minutes chatting with their children about the potential hazards so they know what to do should they see anything hanging from our power lines or they accidentally kick a ball into one of our substations.

"Retrieving items themselves could ultimately prove fatal and young people need to understand the importance of staying away. We want young people to know that if they spot anything potentially unsafe they can call 105 and reach our 24-hour contact centre team who’ll send an emergency response team out to help. By doing the right thing they can ensure they - and their friends - remain safe and have fun this half term.”

Parents can show their children a video about doing the right thing where 11-year-old Jack Dalton got his dad to phone Northern Powergrid’s contact centre when his kite got caught in a power line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXH5hAxn95U&feature=youtu.be

The company's dedicated school safety presenters educate thousands of school children every year and help make them aware of the dangers of electricity.  To arrange a free school safety presentation on the potential dangers around overhead lines, pylons and substations visit http://www.northernpowergrid.com/services-directory/contact-us/form/school_safety

Northern Powergrid also has a suite of education resources to help teachers deliver science, technology, engineering, maths, (STEM) and citizenship lessons to seven to 14 year olds. The free resource materials, available on northernpowergrid.com, have been designed to get pupils engaged in hand-on activities from budgeting household energy costs and renewable energy to exploring social and environmental considerations for the future and power network planning. The resources bring STEM subjects to life, encouraging pupils to engage in learning and inspiring them to consider careers in the energy sector.