Suffolk youngsters urged to stay safe around electricity


Hundreds of Suffolk schoolchildren received potentially life-saving advice on staying safe around electricity at Trinity Park in Ipswich today (28th April).

Safety advisors from UK Power Networks, which distributes electricity across the East of England, were at the Suffolk School Farm and Country Fair, as part of a wider education event.

Around 3,500 Key Stage two students attended the day organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association with learning opportunities across the school curriculum.

UK Power Networks’ focus was on science, with guidance offered on the importance of the power network in everyday life and why it matters to be aware of the dangers of contact with high voltage electricity.

Ros Forbes, a safety advisor at UK Power Networks, said: “It was fantastic to be out in the community we serve meeting young people again, something we had to pause during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

“There was a lot of interest in learning more about electricity which was great to see and we were able to share some important safety messaging, such as never entering substations to retrieve items and looking up for cables when kite flying.

“Electricity does a great deal of good, it powers industry and our homes, but we want young people to be aware of the need to stay safe around the network as contact with high voltage electricity can lead to serious injury or even death.”