Send Students Back to School With High Scores in 'Electrical Safety 101'

CHICAGO, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As teachers do their best to enforce solid study habits this fall, it is a good time for parents to remind their children about the ABCs of electricity safety.

Electrical shocks and fires injure thousands of people each year. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 28,300 residential building electrical fires cause 360 deaths, 1,000 injuries, and $995 million in direct losses annually.

"Safety is ComEd's first priority, and our customers are no exception," said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd executive vice president, Customer Operations, Regulatory, and External Affairs. "Following these tips will help keep children safe around dangerous electrical equipment. And, as always, if you see a down wire or have any concerns about electrical equipment, do not hesitate to call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1."

Youngsters may be tempted to play around electrical equipment and fallen wires, but the results can be deadly. Here are a few friendly reminders to help children stay safe year round.

    While outside:
    -- Always be aware of your surroundings and assume all wires are live and
       dangerous.  Never touch an outdoor wire with any part of your body, or
       with other objects, such as toys. Stay away from fallen power lines.
    -- Stay away from anything marked "Danger," "High Voltage," or "Keep Out".
    -- Do not go into an electric substation for any reason -- even on a
       double-dare.  And never attempt to rescue a pet that goes inside.
       Instead, call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1.
    -- Never climb utility poles or trees near power lines, and never play on
       or around electrical equipment.
    -- Never fly a kite, model airplanes, balloons, or other toys near power
       lines.  Also, do not attempt to retrieve toys or other objects that may
       get stuck on power lines or electrical equipment.  Call 1-800-EDISON-1
       instead.


    While inside:
    -- Never play with electrical cords, and never touch cords that are broken
       or have wire showing.
    -- Never stick anything but an electrical plug into an electrical outlet.
    -- Never touch electric toys or anything electrical if you are wet or
       standing in water.
    -- Don't pry your toast out of a toaster with a knife or a fork.
    -- To unplug a toaster, a lamp, your computer, or anything else, pull on
       the plug -- never the cord.

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.

SOURCE Commonwealth Edison Company