Reading, Writing and Readiness: PG&E Urges Parents, Students to Be Safe as the School Year Starts

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As the school year begins for students throughout Northern and Central
California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reminds parents,
students and teachers to keep electric and natural gas safety top of
mind.

Elementary school students are encouraged to visit PG&E’s Smart
Kids website, which features fast-paced games, cool experiments, and
classroom and at-home challenges, along with other activities that will
entertain while offering important electric and natural gas safety tips.

Parents should discuss these important electric and gas service safety
tips with their children to ensure a safe school year:

• Keep a safe distance from power lines, transformers, substations and
  electric work sites.
• Do not climb power poles or throw objects into power lines.
• Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that
  becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call
  PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
• Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is
  dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized
  and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and
  immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.
• Make it a priority to create an emergency plan to ensure that all
  household members know what to do when emergencies occur, including
  identifying two home escape routes and establishing a location where
  all family members can reunite after evacuating.
• Never put anything into electrical outlets. Only adults should put
  safety caps and plugs into electrical outlets.
• Keep electrical cords and appliances away from water and do not touch
  anything electrical with wet hands.
• Do not play near natural gas appliances or equipment like ovens, water
  heaters, or furnaces.
• Check to make sure a carbon monoxide detector is installed with fresh
  batteries, preferably near a sleeping area.
• Remember the three important messages about natural gas: Smell, Leave
  and Tell!
  • If you smell natural gas in your house, tell an adult. If no adult
    is home, get everyone out of the house. Do not turn on lights or
    use the phone. Ask a neighbor for help.

  And safety remains important after the final school bell rings. In order
  to help prevent injuries, PG&E urges all Pokémon GO players (parents,
  teachers, and students) to exercise caution and be sure to catch their
  Pokémon at a safe distance from electric and gas facilities and
  equipment.

  About PG&E

  Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
  Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
  and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco,
  with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the
  nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
  Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
  and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

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  Contacts

  Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  Paul Doherty, 415-973-5930