Superhero 'Pylonman' gives lesson in safety
Local school children got in on the act at a recent safety performance in North Somerset.
Children from Year 6 at Banwell Primary School joined professional artists to learn about the dangers of playing near overhead power lines and substations and later formed part of the show performed to the other children and teachers in the school.
Western Power Distribution has commissioned The Big Act Theatre Company to design and deliver the workshops and performances in an attempt to help educate children about the serious dangers involved when playing near electrical equipment.
Incorporating WPD’s Pylon Man and his ‘Don’t Mess with Me’ slogan the emphasis of the show is safety but it has been created in such a way so as to make it fun and informative and leaves the children with key messages that will hopefully prevent them from serious injury.
Tracy Carr, Community Liaison Officer for Western Power Distribution said: “We are always keen to explore alternative ways to communicate our safety message and using drama in this way was fun but left the children involved with a very serious message about the dangers of electricity. Pylon Man uses the phrase ‘Don’t Mess with Me’ to remind children that electricity equipment, like overhead power lines and substations are very dangerous and should be respected.”
Unfortunately, there have been incidents involving children who have been playing in the vicinity of electricity network equipment, for example substations and sadly some of these incidents have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries.
January 2009