Safety first for school youngsters

STUDENTS from schools in Stebbing and Great Bardfield will be put through their paces as part of a programme of workshops organised by EDF Energy Networks to raise awareness of the potential dangers of electricity. Stebbing Primary School and Great Bardfi

STUDENTS from schools in Stebbing and Great Bardfield will be put through their paces as part of a programme of workshops organised by EDF Energy Networks to raise awareness of the potential dangers of electricity.

Stebbing Primary School and Great Bardfield Primary School are expected to take part in the hard-hitting safety workshops over the next few weeks. Gosfield Community Primary School and St Margaret's Preparatory School, both in Gosfield, are the other two schools involved in the programme.

About 280 primary school pupils from the four chosen schools will participate in the hour-long sessions and will learn about the hazards of playing near substations and overhead power lines.

As part of the session the youngsters will watch a video about a young boy who is fatally injured after ignoring triangular 'Danger of Death' signs and entering a substation. They will also learn how high voltage electricity can jump gaps and be conducted through anything, including fishing rods and kites, with tragic consequences.

EDF Energy Networks education adviser, Clare Bacon, said: "The interactive nature of the workshops ensures the children understand the potential consequences of playing with electricity. They really benefit from the session and learn valuable safety lessons which will last them a lifetime."

Education advisers are planning to visit Stebbing Primary School, High Street, Stebbing, and Great Bardfield Primary School, Great Bardfield, on Tuesday, January 13.

EDF Energy Networks raises awareness of the dangers posed by electricity by working with more than 100,000 primary and secondary school children every year.

Any school or educational group that would like to increase awareness of electricity among pupils should contact EDF Energy Networks' education team on 01473 294515.

Meanwhile, EDF Energy has set up a special website to teach children about the wonders and dangers of electricity. The Power Up website www.edfenergy.com/powerup is aimed at students aged seven to 14 and also provides information for teachers and parents.

EDF Energy's Programme for Greener Schools, which aims to reach 2.5 million children by 2012, encourages teachers and schools to share examples of best practice with others via the scheme's website, known as The Pod (www.jointhepod.org). Participating schools can blog about their projects, share images, movies, podcasts and written work and these are accessible to other registered schools who wish to start similar activities.