Always Play It safe

• Outlets are not toys! Never put fingers, toys, forks, or pencils into an outlet. Only plugs belong there. (Outlet covers are great for keeping little brothers and sisters safe, too!)
• Keep water away! Never use things like hairdryers, radios, or chargers near sinks, bathtubs, or pools. Water and electricity do NOT mix!
• Ask for help with cords. If a plug is hard to reach, ask an adult. If a cord looks broken or has wires sticking out, don’t touch it! Show a grown—up right away.
• Unplug when done. Chargers and cords can get warm if left plugged in all the time. Unplugging saves energy and keeps things safe.
• Give things space. Lamps, heaters, and nightlights need room so they don’t touch blankets or curtains that could catch fire.
• Don’t overload outlets. Too many chargers or gadgets plugged into one spot can make things too hot and even start a fire.
• Appliances like space heaters should not be plugged in to extension cords or power strips, as these cords are not designed to handle high power draws. Always plug appliances like these directly into the wall.

• Stay away from power lines. Never climb poles, trees near lines, or touch them with kites, balls, or sticks, or fly drones near them. Even getting close can be dangerous.
• Never play near, fly drones near, or enter the fence of an electric station.  It is extremely dangerous. It can result in severe injury or death.
• If your kite or drone flies inside a power station, or your ball goes into the power station, never try to retrieve it!  Instead, call the local power company or the company indicated on the station’s sign for help retrieving your toys.
• Downed wires are extra scary. If you see a wire on the ground, stay at least two school buses away and tell an adult right away.
• Keep electricity and water apart. Don’t use radios, lights, or cords near puddles, pools, or sprinklers.
• Stay off green transformer boxes. Those big green boxes in neighborhoods are full of powerful electricity. Only workers should touch them.
• Watch out for metal objects. Fences, poles, or anything metal near power lines can carry electricity, too.

When storms roll in, you can be a Power Pal by remembering these rules:

• Lightning means inside time! Lightning is like nature’s electricity. Stay indoors, away from windows and doors. Don’t use plugged—in electronics like TVs or computers.
• Watch out for downed wires. Strong winds can knock power lines down. If you see one, don’t touch it and don’t go near it, even if it’s not sparking. Stay at least two school buses away and tell an adult right away.
• When the lights go out…don’t try to fix anything. Use flashlights instead of candles (candles can tip and start fires). Keep the refrigerator closed so food stays cold.
• Stay away from water outside. Don’t splash in puddles or near metal fences during storms because water and metal can carry electricity. If you’re swimming, get out of the pool right away and head indoors.
• After the storm, let adults check if it’s safe before going outside. Hidden wires or wet spots could still be dangerous.

Water and electricity are a dangerous duo. Electricity zips through water super fast!

• Never use hairdryers, radios, or anything plugged in near the bathtub or sink.
• Dry your hands before plugging in or unplugging anything.
• If a plugged—in phone or toy falls into water, don’t grab it! Tell an adult right away.
• Don’t use radios, chargers, or speakers near pools or hot tubs.
• Stay away from outdoor outlets or equipment when you’re wet.
• If it starts raining while you’re swimming, get out of the pool immediately. Lightning can strike water!
• Ask an adult to make sure GFCI outlets are installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas. A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a special type of outlet that helps keep people safe from electric shock. It works by quickly shutting off the electricity if it senses a problem, like electricity going where it shouldn’t—especially near water.

Help prevent fires by being careful around things that use electricity:

• Lamps, heaters, and toasters can get hot. Keep them away from blankets, papers, or anything that burns easily.
• Don’t plug too many things into one outlet because it can get too hot and start a fire.
• Broken cords with wires sticking out are dangerous! Show an adult right away.
• If you see smoke, sparks, or hear buzzing from an outlet, back away and tell a grown—up. Never pour water on an electrical fire!
• Gas fires are tricky. Gas is made to smell like rotten eggs so people know when it’s leaking. If you ever smell that, tell an adult right away and leave the house. Don’t touch light switches or electronics.

What to Do if There’s a Fire

• Practice a fire escape plan with your family so everyone knows how to get out safely.
• If you hear a smoke alarm or see a fire, get an adult and go outside quickly.
• Once you’re out, stay out! Don’t go back in for toys or pets. Leave that up to the firefighters who are trained to help.