Employees from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' Highlands and Islands region are at the Safe Highlanders event today and tomorrow providing tips to keep local schoolchildren safe around SSEN's electrical equipment.

The annual event, held in Wick Assembly Rooms, promotes community safety, health and crime prevention to Primary 7 pupils in the Caithness and North Sutherland areas.

Pupils will hear from SSEN's Customer Relationship Manager, Pamela Harvey and Linesman Andrew Plowman who will focus on the dangers of playing near electrical substations and overhead power lines.

Commenting on the event, Pamela said:

"We're delighted to be attending this year's Safe Highlanders event in Wick and look forward to meeting Primary 7 pupils from across the Caithness and North Sutherland areas. Every day is a school day when it comes to safety, as everything we do, whether at work or at home, is a lesson in keeping safe."

Children and parents alike are reminded to be aware of SSEN's overhead network as kites, drones and remote control planes can get caught and become dangerous. Electricity can jump gaps so a toy doesn't even have to touch the power lines to become a serious hazard.

Pamela and Andrew are also promoting the emergency number 105 to ensure local children are aware of the number to call to reach our teams if toys, such as a ball, should end up in one of SSEN's substations.

For further information and advice on staying safe near SSEN's network, please go to - https://www.ssen.co.uk/ChildrensSafety/.