5 of 7 lessons
How electricity can be dangerous
What you’ll learn about
Be cautious!
You could be seriously hurt or killed if you mess about with electrical appliances, electric sockets or electricity wires in your home. You could also be seriously hurt or killed if you play in substations, near overhead lines on wooden poles or around electricity pylons.
How electricity can be dangerous
- It always finds the easiest pathway to the ground
- Human bodies contain 70% water and water conducts electric current really well
- Electricity flows more easily through water than through air
This means that if you get too close to power lines or a substation, the electricity could pass through the water content of your body as it tries to find the easiest way to get to the ground. You could get an electric shock and might even die. Electricity in the home can also be dangerous if you don't respect it.
Build your own electrical circuits!
How much do you know about electrical circuits? Test your knowledge by playing the circuit builder game.
More lessons in this series
Quick tips about electrical safety
Dangerous situations
To stay safe, make sure you switch off the electricity before you plug in or unplug anything.
Never plug too many electrical appliances into one socket. The wires may overheat and catch fire.
Never poke things into electric sockets - you could easily be electrocuted.
Cables buried under road or footpaths could be carrying electricity and could kill you.
Never go fishing near overhead lines. Electricity might be carried down the fishing line back to you. You could be electrocuted.
Never poke things into electric toasters. The wires inside are uninsulated - you could easily be electrocuted.
Electric cables are often hidden behind walls. Make sure you know what is behind it using a cable detector from a DIY shop.
Never fly a kite near an overhead line. Electricity might be carried down the string back to you.
Building sites often have a live electricity supply. Do not go near them or you could get hurt or be killed.
Do not climb pylons or wooden poles, electricity can jump gaps if you get too close. Also, graffiti can cover warning signs and put others at risk.
Always keep electrical appliances away from water. Water conducts electricity - you could easily be electrocuted
Never climb into electricity substations or poke sticks through the fence. The high voltage electricity could kill you.
Before you climb any trees, always check there are no overhead lines nearby. If you get too close to an overhead line, you could be electrocuted.
Take extra care when mowing the grass with an electric lawn mower. If you damage the wire, you could be electrocuted.
Never play in derelict buildings - the electricity supply may not have been disconnected. You could be electrocuted.
Never touch exposed wires inside streetlights. You could be electrocuted.
Never play on or around railway lines, they carry high voltage electricity and you could be seriously hurt or killed.
Untidy wires might be tripped over or get damaged. Always make sure they are kept tidied away.
Never take electric appliances into the bathroom. Water conducts electricity - you could easily be electrocuted.
Did you know?
In 15 minutes, the sun radiates as much energy onto Earth as all the people on the planet during an entire year. Just imagine if we could channel the sun's energy effectively!
In August 1887 the London Electric Supply Corporation commissioned Ferranti to build the first power station. Today our electricity supply is still based on the system that Ferranti designed.
What is a volt? And why is it called a volt? The volt measures electromotive force. It was named after the Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
In the 1780s, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery - all because of Luigi Galvani's experiments with dead frogs.
Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931 is one of the most successful inventors ever, applying for over 1,300 patents by 1910, mainly to do with electrical or mechanical development.
High voltage electricity is carried across the country by pylons and 'stepped down' for domestic use at substations. The National Grid supplies electricity all over the country.