Safety, science and a seventh-inning stretch. On May 7, We Energies participated in Milwaukee Brewers Weather Day presented by CBS58 at American Family Field. An impressive roster of employees taught over 7,000 schoolchildren from Wisconsin and Illinois how the company provides reliable energy — all while keeping themselves and the community safe.
Natural gas and electric safety
The interactive science fair began with an introduction to natural gas. Students discovered how natural gas reaches their homes, providing warmth, cooking their meals and heating their water. They even got hands-on experience with pipes and equipment, gaining insights into the vital work of natural gas employees.
Nearby, students learned how line mechanics build electrical grids and deliver power to homes and businesses. They tried on safety gloves and rubber sleeves, and explored the harnesses, ropes and other equipment used by line crews every day. They then lined up to connect fuses at a simulator, experiencing firsthand how power is restored during outages.
Understanding prevention
Pictures of dogs digging in yards captured the students’ attention, illustrating the importance of preventing damage to underground equipment. Whether planting a garden or setting up a basketball hoop, digging without calling 811 can lead to dangerous and even deadly consequences. The key takeaway for students was to remind their parents to stay safe by calling 811 at least three days before any digging project in their yards.
The children also learned about the:
- Hazards posed by Mylar balloons when they contact power lines. The metal coating on the balloons can cause power equipment to short circuit.
- The importance of having an emergency kit — complete with flashlights and batteries, bottled water and a first-aid kit — ready for potential power outages caused by severe weather.
- Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and the critical role of carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
Takeaway for the day
The home run of the day was the giveaways, including sports bags, sunglasses and notebooks, serving as an added reminder to always call 811 before digging, helping ensure that the energy safety lessons learned would stay with the students long after their day at the ballpark.
