Kiwanis
A partnership between Kiwanis of Gainesville and the City of Gainesville
Activity Title: GRU Safety Substation Tour
Level: Adult (Instructor)
Time Frame: 20 - 30 minutes
Materials: None
Video(s): None, unless GRU has a suitable electrical safety video
Description: The purpose of this activity is to show children the dangers of outside electricity using an exact model of an electrical substation, with visual props for demonstration. The GRU Safety Substation located in Safety City is designed to provide a static model for teaching the hazards of high voltage electricity.
Activity: This activity is designed to show children the dangers of playing near electrical substations, power lines and transformers. It is intended to reinforce basic classroom lessons on electrical safety in a realistic setting. Several visual props will be used to emphasize key safety concepts.
A) Birds are sitting on the power lines. The instructor explains that birds are in no danger because electricity is looking for the "short cut" to the ground. If it traveled through the bird electricity would be taking the long way around.
B) A cat is sitting on the power pole. The instructor explains that children should never climb electrical poles, or trees that have power lines running through them. Electricity could find a short way to the ground through their bodies.
C) A kite is stuck on the power lines, and the string dangles near the ground. Children are cautioned if anything gets stuck on an electrical line it must be removed by the utility company. The same is true for balloons, toy airplanes, and branches.
D) A stray wire is dangling from a power pole. Children are cautioned never to touch a downed wire, even if it looks harmless. Never approach a downed wire, even if a car has hit the pole and people may be injured. Children should call 911 from a safe distance away, and leave it up to the emergency responders.
E) A shovel is stuck into the ground near an underground electrical circuit. It is very dangerous to dig anywhere near a transformer, or for that matter anywhere in your yard. Call the utility company first.
F) A ball has been thrown over the substation fence. The instructor explains that children should never climb the fence or venture into the substation. Extremely high voltage is running through the cables and wires.
Discussion: Primary discussion during this activity should focus on:
1) The dangers of children coming in contact with electricity through outside sources such as power lines, transformers and substations. These examples show how easy it is to become part of the electrical circuit.
Summary: The purpose of this activity is show children the ways in which they can accidentally come in contact with electrical current, and how to avoid these dangers. This activity is done exclusively at the GRU Safety Substation located in Safety City.
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"GRU Safety Substation"