How to protect children from power line hazards

Here are nine tips to prevent child electrocution and electric shock injury from utility structures, and how to teach our kids to stay away from downed power lines

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9 tips to prevent child electrocution and electric shock injury from utility structures, and how to teach our kids to stay away from downed power lines

Last week, when writing about how many people don’t recognize downed power lines because they can easily be mistaken for utility cables, I discussed the heartbreaking case of my client and now friend, Loretta Bell. Loretta also understandably thought a downed power line was a cable laying across a driveway after a bad storm in Michigan. When she went to check on her neighbor’s house, hand in hand with her daughter, her daughter came in contact with the unknown live wire and was electrocuted before her mother’s eyes.

But that wasn’t the cause of this terrible tragedy.  The true cause of this terrible loss was the power company (Detroit Edison), that failed to remove the downed power line for hours after it was reported.

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And on the heels of the recent electrocution of 12-year-old K’brianna Griffin of Detroit, who was also killed when she was playing in her friend’s yard and came into contact with a live power line, I wanted to take some time today to discuss important safety tips to help prevent these tragic occurrences involving precious children.

I created this electrocution law blog after three decades as an attorney helping families around the country after tragedy occurs. The hope and mission of this blog is to provide help before tragedy occurs.

While the cause of these terrible accidents usually rests on the shoulders of utility companies, who often put profits before the timely inspection and maintenance of their power line structures, a little knowledge can also go a long way in protecting our children.

The law protects children who cannot understand and appreciate danger. Remember, children are naturally curious and do not understand or fathom the dangers of electricity in the same way as us adults (and, as I often discuss in this blog, many adults do not understand or fathom electrical danger as well – too many believe what they see on movies and television, which is usually inaccurate).

Teaching children the basics about the power of electricity and electrical shock helps to keep them safe from harm. It’s also important to keep in mind that you want to teach children about these dangers without completely scaring them, so when discussing the following, try and be soft and empathetic while still articulating the hazards and why you’re discussing them – i.e. to protect your kids.

Please share the following basics on electricity with your children and fellow parents.

Injury: Electricity has the power to cause burns, shocks and even death.

Appliances and power cords: Can be just as dangerous as electrical power lines if you don’t take proper safety precautions.

Water: Electricity flows easily through water, and it will travel through your body since your body is made of 70% water.

All children, regardless of their age, need to be aware of the dangers of electricity. While the following safety tips are for all children, there are some that are more applicable for older children at home.

  1. Never stick your fingers or any object into an electrical outlet or light bulb socket. You can also plug outlets with safety covers so they can’t get in!
  2. Keep fingers and other objects out of small appliances, such as toasters, even if the appliance is off. And keep these small appliances out of reach.
  3. Never use an appliance near a sink, bathtub or other source of water. Put them in a secured place after use if possible.
  4. Keep electrical wires and appliance cords away from sources of heat, sinks, bathtubs and other sources of water. You can roll them up or zip tie them to keep them from getting in the way.
  5. Never touch any electrical appliance or device, such as a light switch, hair dryer or toaster, if you are touching water. And never use any electrical appliance if you’re wet.
  6. Never pull an electric plug out of the wall outlet by yanking on the electric cord.
  7. Unplug an electrical appliance before cleaning it.
  8. If you see a worn, frayed or damaged electrical cord, tell an adult immediately.
  9. If you see a downed power line or anything that looks like a cable, do not touch, remove yourself from the premises and tell your parents or a nearby adult.

In K’brianna’s tragic case, an inactive city power line became energized when it fell across a live DTE Energy wire. The city of Detroit’s statement did not address when the wire is believed to have fallen, but the girl’s death came after weeks of reports of downed wires in the area, according to police in published reports. This indicates her untimely death was likely entirely preventable if authorities would have done their due diligence and removed the wires as soon as it was reported they were down and therefore a hazard to residents and children.

K’brianna’s mother told The Detroit News that ‘She was going to be somebody,” as the beloved, lively little girl loved to walk dogs and planned to become a veterinarian.

I’m still in very close contact with Loretta Bell and her family, and I know there’s not moment that she doesn’t yearn for her baby girl and wonder what life would have been like if the power company had fulfilled its legal duty to remove the deadly power line in safe and timely manner.

Related info:

5 lifesaving tips to preventing electric shock injuries

What all parents can learn from Ohio boy electrocuted while doing YouTube experiment

Jeffrey feldman

Author 
Jeffrey H. Feldman
Electrocution Lawyer

Jeffrey has tried more electrocution cases than most other injury lawyers in the country. He’s also secured several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, many who have lost loved ones in electrocution accidents.

5 stars

He’s an honest lawyer. If he takes on a case, it’s because he truly believes in it.

– L.B.