City Utilities

ESFI Tools Teach Kids Electrical Safety

(NAPS)-New educational tools can make learning about electrical safety fun for children, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

ESFI has released a spanish version of its popular "Mr. Plug Fun Book," designed to help teachers and parents explain electrical safety to children. ESFI has also joined with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), to launch Web-based electrical safety lesson plans in conjunction with NFPAs Risk Watch@ program.

"As our reliance on electricity grows, the potential for misuse of home appliances, computers and entertainment equipment means the need for electrical safety awareness is far more important. Teaching children basic electrical safety principles with Risk Watch, or by using the Mr. Plug books, helps establish lifelong electrical safety habits," noted Michael G. Clendenin, ESFI executive director.

The Risk Watch electrical lesson plans, for pre-k/kindergarten through eighth grade, will teach kids of all ages to be safe around electricity. The lessons can be found on the Risk Watch Web site, www.riskwatch.org .

"Electrical fires are the third leading cause of home fires," says Judy Comoletti, NFPA assistant vice president for public education. "Working with ESFI, NFPA has been able to focus on this important topic. I am sure our Risk Watch teachers will enjoy the new activities."

Risk Watch: Unintentional injuries is the first comprehensive injury prevention program designed for use in classrooms. Linking teachers with community safety experts and parents, Risk Watch effectively teaches kids and their families the skills and knowledge they need to be safe from the areas they're at greatest risk to unintentional injuries.

ESFI's "Mr. Plug Fun Book" includes coloring activities and puzzles to increase public safety awareness for children. Available in English and Spanish, one version of the "Mr. Plug Fun Book" is for pre-kindergarten children, the other for children in kindergarten through third grade.

ESFI's "Mr. Plug Fun Book" is available for downloading free of charge from the ESFI Library on ESFI's Web site, www.electrical-safety.org. Visit the Web site or call ESFI at 703-841-3229 for more information on electrical safety.

For more information, send a 60¢ stamped, self-addressed No. 10 (business size) envelope to Electrical Safety Foundation International, 1300 North 17th Street, #1847, Rosslyn, VA 22209

HOME ELECTRICAL SAFETY LINKS

http://www.electrical-safety.org/hs/isub.php?l0=hs&l1=hest

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION SAFETY LINKS

http://www.nfpa.org/riskwatch/kids.html

http://www.electrical-safety.org/

Links of Interest:

City of Richland Center Ordinance - Chapter 60

Wisconsin Public Utilities Commission www.pcs.wi.gov/

Diggers Hotline

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