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 elementary schools in the CWEC service area. Elementary schools included those located in Birnamwood, Iola, Rosholt, Tigerton, and Wittenberg.   

The demonstrations were conducted by CWEC employees and showed students firsthand the dangers that could occur if they aren’t safe around electricity. Students learned about some of the safety items a lineman needs to wear when they work around power lines. Students 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.

“With how dangerous electricity can be, it is the goal of the co-op to make students aware of that danger at a young age,” said Bert Lehman, manager of Member Relations at CWEC. “Oftentimes, smoke, sparks, and flames occur during the demonstrations, which helps to reinforce how dangerous electricity can be and why it is important to stay away from downed power lines.”

One of the demonstrations used a hot dog to simulate what would happen if a human body contacted a power line.

“The reactions of the students when a hot dog touches the power lines during the demonstration and the flames that it causes draws the attention of the students quickly,” Lehman said.

Finally, students were informed about what to do if they are 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.

“Educating the public, including children, about the dangers of electricity is an important aspect of providing electricity to our members,” said Kevin Kurtzweil, vice president of Operations at CWEC. “The students usually have a lot of questions for the linemen, which we encourage.”

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.