National Grid and Edward Smith School Lead With Safety

More than 160 students participate in safety demonstrations, interactive displays

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – National Grid and Edward Smith School today partnered on “Leading with Safety” where more than 160 fourth and fifth grade students participated in a safety expo and hands-on demonstrations.

“’Leading with Safety’ is a great opportunity for students to learn the importance of electricity and natural gas safety and to begin to identify potential hazards at home and school,” said Melanie Littlejohn, National Grid’s Central New York regional executive. “At National Grid we believe one can never be too young to learn valuable safety tips. I remember learning important safety lessons in elementary school and those tips have stuck with me to this very day.”

The event provided Edward Smith School students a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn more about electricity and gas safety. A portion of the day -- and favorite among students -- involved interactive demonstrations on how energy is measured, the dangers of electricity wires that children may see on the ground, how natural gas gets to homes, and an opportunity to explore a National Grid truck and service van.

“As the principal of Edward Smith School we truly appreciate National Grid’s hosting ‘Leading with Safety,’” said Sam Barber, principal, Edward Smith School. “Through this effort we are bringing awareness to students on the many safety hazards at home and school and hope they will share this knowledge with friends and family.”

The event is part of National Safety Month and the company’s “Leading with Safety” campaign, National Grid’s signature program designed to engage school students in electricity and gas safety and damage prevention.

Electrical Safety Foundation International estimates more than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents occur each year. Each day, nearly seven children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for shock or burn injuries caused by tampering with a wall outlet. The most common causes of product-related thermal burn injuries among children ages 14 and under are hair curlers, curling irons, room heaters, ovens and ranges, and irons.

In keeping with promoting natural gas safety, National Grid encourages customers to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and to test detectors that may already be installed to ensure they are in working order. According to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission, on average about 170 carbon monoxide fatalities occur every year in the U.S. Causes include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas.

Below is a short video on the importance of natural gas safety in the home, tips on how to identify a natural gas leak, and what to do if a leak occurs.

About National Grid

About National Grid: National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

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