Warm, sunny days beckon the child in us all to head outdoors to play or swim. Bartholomew County REMC recommends that families review and stress to children the following simple electrical safety rules for safe outdoor play:

• Never climb trees near power lines. Even if the power lines aren’t touching the tree, they could touch when more weight is added to the branch or the child may be able to grab the line.
• Fly kites and model airplanes in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree that’s near power lines or in the power lines, don’t climb up to get it. Call BCREMC for assistance. 
• Never climb a utility pole or tower. 
• Don’t play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment/transformers.
• Stay far away from downed power lines or low wires.
• Never pull a limb off a power line, it may be energized even if you see no sparks.
• Don’t play or hang on guy wires.
• Water and electricity never mix!  Keep electronics and appliances away from pools and hot tubs and watch for overhead power lines when cleaning the pool with a skimmer.  Never install pools underneath or near power lines
• Use GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets outdoors and near pools or hot tubs.  These little devices are a major advance in preventing electrical shock in and around the home.  GFCIs are designed to prevent electrical shock by breaking the circuit when there is a difference in the currents in the hot and neutral wires. The advantage of a GFCI is that it can detect small amounts of electricity (that your fuse or circuit breaker can’t) and effectively turn off the circuit to avoid potential dangers.
• Never touch an electrical appliance when wet; always dry off completely.
• Never go into an electric substation for any reason. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment, which can kill you. Never rescue a pet or retrieve a ball or toy that goes inside. Call BCREMC instead.