'Don't play near electricity cables', warns power company

West Berkshire power depot advises children to steer clear of cables during summer holidays

ALLOWING children to play near electricity cables and substations during the summer holidays could prove fatal, the manager of a power depot in Theale has warned.

Ewen Christie, the manager at Southern Electric's Theale depot, said frequent requests were made to retrieve footballs and toys from the substation, and there had also been reported instances of trampolines under overhead lines.

“It is very easy to forget that overhead wires carrying high voltages of electricity could be nearby or even overhead. Touching them or even just coming near them with long objects can be fatal, because electricity can jump gaps.”

“We've had worrying incidents with people totally unconcerned at the potentially dangerous situations they put themselves in,” he said.

“For instance we were recently called out when we received reports of children climbing up the cable stays which hold 11kv electricity poles in place.

“Some of our colleagues at nearby depots have had children climbing up trees which are in close proximity to overhead wires, and have seen kites entangled in wires.”

The electricity firm has published a list of safety advice and guidelines for spending time outdoors near electrical lines and cables, most of which advice people of all ages to stay well away from electricity hubs and lines, and not to fly kites or throw anything near cables.

Mr Christie said if something does come into contact with a power line or if damage was visable never retreive it, call Southern Electric's 24-hour emergency line on 08000 727282

For more information on how to avoid accidents with electricity visit the Health and Safety Executive web site www.hse.gov.uk/electricity the Southern Electric Power Distribution web site www.ssepd.co.uk