Community safety is a collective effort, and it takes everyone working together to ensure dangerous risks do not become realities. Below you will find practical tips and resources to help keep yourself, your family and each other safe.
Vehicle accidents, severe weather events, and trees can all cause power lines to fall. Always stay a minimum of ten metres away from downed lines (about the length of a school bus), and call 9-1-1 to report the issue.
If your vehicle comes into contact with a downed power line, remain inside and call 9-1-1. If a fire makes it necessary to exit the vehicle, hop out – landing on both feet – and bunny shuffle ten metres away before calling 9-1-1.
When out and about in the community, you may come across substations, hydro poles and pad-mounted transformers (or locked green metal cabinets). Always walk around and away from these pieces of equipment and never tamper or play with them as they are connected to high voltage equipment.
Electricity can arc through the air and deliver a potentially fatal shock. Always keep yourself, toys, tools and trees a minimum of three to six metres away from overhead power lines.
Elexicon Energy offers an electrical safety program for students in Grades 1-4 at the Kids Safety Village in Whitby. Students will learn about different electrical structures, and what not to touch and why. Topics include:
There is also a display for students to “spot the hazards” in a kitchen and a bathroom. The students will then go outside to identify the Village-sized electrical structures which include overhead power lines and transformers.
To learn more about the Kids Safety Village, visit them online or use one of the contact methods below.
Email: safetyvillage@drps.ca
Phone: 905-721-4291
Address: 1129 Athol St. Whitby, ON
