Kids Can Learn About The Dangers Of Electricity and How To Stay Safe

With the summer coming up it is a good idea that the kids in your life know the dangers of electricity and power lines.

South Plains Electric Co-Op will be holding their 18th annual 4th Grade Safety Demonstrations, Wednesday and Thursday, May 2nd and 3rd from 9:30 to noon at the SPEC North Office at I-27 and Municipal Drive.

They will be performing five sets of demonstrations to show the hazards of electricity and how to stay safe.

From SPEC:

The five demonstration areas include:

• An arcing demonstration showing the danger of overhead power lines. SPEC employees use a mini-transformer/power line set up to demonstrate different dangers of contacting overhead power lines. The demonstration unit produces 5,000 volts, which is less voltage than an actual power line but produces sparks and fire, impressing the real danger of power line contact to the students.
• SPEC linemen demonstrated a pole-top rescue. The foreman expresses the importance of a quick response time when rescuing an injured crew member. He explains the procedure in detail but also makes it clear that this is one procedure they hope they never have to practice in real life.
• Other SPEC employees demonstrate a bucket truck rescue. They explained and demonstrate how a crew must work together to get an injured crew member to the ground safely and quickly. They explain how crew members have fewer than five minutes to get an injured person to the ground and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the brain is damaged due to lack of oxygen.
• The dangers of underground lines and pad mount transformers are also demonstrated. The popping noise of the electricity makes sure everyone’s attention is on the lineman presenting.
• A fifth demonstration station features a video which helps students pull all of the safety information together.

Last years event brought out over 1,000 area fourth graders and SPEC is expecting a similar turnout this year as well.

For more information, you can contact Becky Wilson at bwilson@spec.coop.