AIKEN --- Sparky the outlet stole the magic show Monday as Aiken County elementary school pupils learned about electrical safety at the Making Accidents Disappear magic show.
Each year, Aiken Electric Cooperative gives pupils safety tips about electronic equipment they are around daily, said Muriel Carter, Aiken Electric's communications coordinator.
Asked for a show of hands, all pupils signaled that they had been in the bathroom with a hair dryer or radio -- items that could easily fall into the sink or bathtub.
The magic show uses traditional tricks of pulling scarves out of bags and bringing a white board to life as an electrical outlet so the topic remains fun for pupils.
"I liked when he made Sparky's eyes move," Paris Dublin, 7, said. "We learned to not play with kites if we're near power lines, too.
Paris, a Greendale Elementary pupil, joined about 100 other pupils during the laughter-inciting show, which allowed pupils to interact with magician Scott Davis.
Each year more than 400 pupils see the show, which teaches these four lessons:
- When handled foolishly, electricity can be dangerous -- even deadly.
- Never fly kites or climb trees near power lines.
- Never stick anything other than a plug into an electrical outlet.
- Never use anything electrical in or around the bathtub.
"Accidents, not diseases, are the No. 1 killer of children in America," Mr. Davis said. "Making Accidents Disappear is a powerful tool to help parents, teachers and industry combat these needless tragedies."
Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.
TO LEARN MORE
Visit www.makingaccidentsdisappear.com for more information about electrical safety.
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