Fourth graders learn about power line safety through EWEB program in schools
Stop. Stay 50 Feet away (about the length of a school bus).
Observe. Downed lines can energize the ground and nearby objects, and electricity from the line can travel through water puddles.
Survive. Call 911.
These are the key takeaways of EWEB's new electric safety demonstration in schools.
The Power Town table uses live voltage to show what happens when different objects come in contact with electricity. EWEB’s demonstration is geared towards youth, specifically fourth graders.
“That’s a great age because they’ve already learned a little bit about how electricity works, they find it interesting, and they can retain some safety information and understand the importance of it,” said Lance Hughes, EWEB safety enterprise manager.
During the presentation, kids learn about electric conductors, such as water. They learn how to safely exit a car if a power line falls on it. They learn how to stay safe around the green pad-mounted transformers, which are so often a child’s “base” during a game of tag. And most importantly, they learn what to do if you see a downed power line: Stop. Observe. Survive. Call 911.
“The goal here is to make this experience memorable and something they want to go home and tell their parents about. Safety information that they want to share with others,” said Hughes.
2025-2026 Launch Year
This was the first year EWEB launched the safety demonstration, reaching 16 fourth-grade classrooms across four school districts (4J, McKenzie, Springfield, and Bethel) thanks to EWEB education partnerships and grant funding. EWEB education grant funding enables memorable learning experiences for students through events like Salmon Watch, the EV Challenge, and now Power Town.
EWEB's safety team aims to increase the demonstration's reach in the coming years. If you are interested in hosting Power Town in your classroom or event, you can submit a request form here.
Image: EWEB Safety Team was joined by new EWEB GM John Hairston during a Power Town demonstration at the Fairfield Elementary School.
If you see a downed power line
STOP. There's no way to know if a downed line is energized, so play it safe—assume it is live. Stay at least 50 feet away (about the length of a school bus).
OBSERVE. Carefully observe the area. Downed lines can energize the ground and nearby objects, and electricity from the line can travel through water puddles. Stay at least 50 feet away from anything that could be energized, and instruct others to stay away.
SURVIVE. Call 911 to report a downed power line then call EWEB's outage reporting line at 1-844-484-2300 to report the downed line. NEVER approach or attempt to move a line under any circumstances.
If you see someone touching a power line, don't touch him or her; you may become a victim, too. Call 911 immediately.
If a power line falls across your car, try to drive clear. If that fails, stay in the car. If you must get out because of imminent danger, such as fire, be sure to leap clear so you don't touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
If you see repair crews working on downed power lines, please drive carefully. Expect delays and use caution when driving near any repair crews working to restore your power.
