Published July 14. 2016 12:00AM
When it comes to children treated in hospital emergency rooms for electrical shock or burn injuries, the numbers tell the story, according to Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director with PPL Electric Utilities.
And the numbers are surprising.
Statistics from the Electrical Safety Foundation International show nearly seven children are treated daily in emergency rooms across the U.S. for electrical shock or burn injuries caused by tampering with a wall outlet.
More than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents occur each year across the entire population.
As part of its efforts of community outreach, PPL sponsored the National Theater for Children who presented “Safety Detectives in Hot Pursuit,” to several elementary schools in the area.
St. Joseph the Worker in Orefield was one of the schools to see the “high-energy performance” which had grades kindergarten through fifth laughing and learning about electrical safety.
Students learned four important concepts: what is electricity, the uses of electricity, how to identify dangerous electrical situations, and how to prevent electrical fires.
Performed in about 20 schools throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania, the NTC sponsorship also included pre-visit materials, including workbooks so teachers could discuss the topic with their students before and after the performance.
PRESS PHOTO BY JENNIFER BODISCH“The Safety Detectives, In Hot Pursuit” was recently performed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade at St. Joseph the Worker School, Orefield. Two actors performed all the roles. In this scene, Buddy, the newest member of P. I. Plug's Electrical Safety Detectives Brigade is out to solve her first case when fires break out all over town. She is helped by
