Lesson 5: Signs of Safety
Overview
After taking a closer look at the materials making up the components of familiar light emitting devices, students extend their understanding of conductors and insulators by identifying potential electrical hazards, discussing what makes them hazardous, and suggesting what they can do to prevent such hazards.
Key Ideas
- A complete path to and from the source (loop) is needed for the electric current to flow.
- Current electricity can exist in and move through a conductor. A conductor is a material that allows an electric current to pass through it.
- An insulator does not allow electric current to pass through it easily.
- Electrical energy can be used safely in our homes, businesses, and schools but it is not without risks. By understanding how electric current travels, people can minimize their chances of being seriously injured or killed from electrical hazards.
Lesson Goals
Students will:
- recognize the applications of conductors and insulators in everyday devices and situations.
- identify electrical hazards in homes, businesses, and schools.
- suggest ways to prevent serious injury and death from electrical hazards.
Lesson Resources
Download Lesson 5 (9 pages, 416 KB)
Online Extensions
Alliant Energy Kids: Electrical Safety Resources
Bangor Hydro's Kids Outlet
Frankenstein's Lightning Laboratory with links to electrical safety
Switched on Kids: Electricity and How to Use it Safely
Dig Safe! State laws require anyone who digs to notify utility companies before starting. Digging can be dangerous and costly without knowing where underground facilities are located.
Electrical safety checklists
Electrical Safety in the Home Fact Sheet: UMaine Cooperative Extension
Maine Public Service Safety Tips
May is Electrical Safety Month
Connection to Maine Agencies
For areas served by Central Maine Power contact: Brad Kaherl at 207.377.4599 for the Safety City Presentation. The target audience for an electrical safety presentation is Grades 4-6. It is suggested that, before contacting CMP, teachers check to see if their school has already scheduled a presentation. Schools receive a brochure in September describing the program. Areas covered: Bangor and north; Augusta – Portland; Portland south
For areas served by Maine Public Service contact Nancy Chandler at 207.760.2556 for the interactive Hazard Hamlet presentation. The target audience is preschool to fifth-grade students. The presentation provides information on the do’s and don’ts of electrical safety. Students have the opportunity to see the power of electricity and learn about potential hazards associated with unsafe behavior around power lines and household circuitry. Areas covered: all of Aroostook County.
