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Answer: Overhead distribution power lines, like the ones you see outside on utility poles, can last for a long time—25 to 50 years. Some underground power lines can last even longer: as much as 100 years. Things like storms or accidents can affect how long power lines last, and they need to be checked and taken care of to make sure they keep working well and stay safe. This is a big job: SCE monitors and maintains more than 200,000 miles of power lines!
Answer: It is very unlikely that a power line will fall on you, Diego. But just in case you see an overhead wire hanging from a pole or on the ground, always assume the wire is energized and dangerous. Never touch a power line, and if possible, stay very far away as it can electrocute you.
If a downed power line falls on or near the car you are in, stay in the car and call 911. We do this to avoid “touch potential,” which is the risk of electrocution based on one part of the body touching an energized object (like a car) while another part of the body is touching the ground at the same time.
If you cannot stay in the car because of smoke or fire, jump away from the car and land with both feet together. Shuffle away to safety—at least 30 feet—using small steps, keeping your feet together as close as you can. Do not run or take long steps. Since the ground is energized, electrical current can travel through you if your feet aren’t close together. Follow these rules and you should be safe.
Answer: I’m going to make this easy for you! You can find not just ten, but eleven ways to be safe around electricity in your own home by going to our SCE e-SMARTkids website’s home safety inspection checklist here. Do the home safety inspection with an adult in your family and you too can be a safety expert like me!
Answer: A conductor is a substance that electricity can flow through easily. Water is a conductor because it contains dissolved ions, which are atoms or molecules that can carry an electrical charge.
Water with more ions conducts electricity better than water with fewer ions. Salt water is loaded with sodium and chloride ions, making it a better conductor than fresh water, which has fewer ions. (Fresh water will conduct electricity, just not as well as salt water.)
Answer: We define current as the movement or flow of electricity. An electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. You can find other energy definitions in our e-smartkids energy glossary here:
Energy Glossary – SCE KIDS: Learn about electrical safety (e-smartkids.com)
You can also learn more about how electricity is generated and distributed and how to be safety smart in its use here:
66883 Tell Me More – SCE KIDS: Learn about electrical safety (e-smartkids.com)
Answer: First, a little background for you and our other readers: In everyday use, electricity typically refers to electrically charged particles, called electrons, moving through metal wires. This flow of electricity is called current. Most metals conduct electricity, and metals like copper, silver, aluminum, brass, gold and steel are especially good conductors of electricity because they let current flow through them easily. Water is another good conductor of electricity; because your body is mostly water, you are a great conductor, too! That’s why it’s so important to use electricity safely and avoid contacting electrical current. You can learn how to do this by visiting the Electrical Safety-SMART! section of this website: https://sce.e-smartkids.com/electrical-safety/.
Answer: Yes, the human body is a good conductor of electricity! This is because our bodies are 60–70% water, and water is an excellent conductor. Since the water in our bodies can help electricity flow through us, we need to be extremely careful not to contact electricity. It is important not to touch water, or anything in contact with the water when a downed power line is nearby. You can read more here about how electricity and water—and our bodies—make a dangerous combination, and some tips for staying safe.
Answer: Plastic does not conduct electricity as easily as water and metal do. However, a plastic object that contacts a power line could become energized with electricity and even catch fire if the voltage in the line is high enough. For this reason, it’s important to keep all objects (including those made of plastic) far away from power lines.
Answer: Because I am an electrical safety expert, Leon, when I think of “up,” I think of overhead electric power lines and how to be safe around them. Anything that contacts a power line can cause a fire or electrical outage, so always keep balloons, kites, drones, and other flying toys far away from overhead lines. And to avoid a serious (or even fatal) electrical shock, be sure to keep your own body far away from power lines too! If you want to learn more about power line safety, visit this link: sce.e-smartkids.com/electrical-safety
Answer: Electricity travels at the speed of light, which is about 186,000 miles per second. So, unless you’ve got shoes with superpowers, electricity would beat you hands down in a race. Because you can’t move faster than electricity, it’s important to always stay out of its way, including staying away from downed power lines. Learn more about the dangers of coming into contact with electricity and how you can stay safe here.
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