Summertime is busy for emergency rooms. Kids out of school, exploring the neighborhood, climbing trees, swimming in pools and riding bikes all create opportunities for injuries. Add electricity to the mix and injuries can turn deadly.
“Parents need to educate their children about playing around electrical devices,” said Gene Morris, safety manager for Clark Public Utilities. “Water, electrical cords, cables running through trees are just a few of the combinations that could spell an emergency room trip or worse.”
Morris advises parents to inspect neighborhood trees for power lines or other cables running through them. Where they’re found, make the trees off limits. Teach kids to look up before climbing a tree and to not climb one if wires run through it.
Power cords and moisture don’t mix. Morris suggests treating extension cords with care. Never use one around water or wet areas, even dewy grass. Always keep any power cords far away from pools, water slides and water blasters. Frayed or broken cord insulation makes it dangerous to use—the break might touch water and cause a shock. For safety’s sake, replace any extension cords with cracked insulation immediately.