RICHMOND, Va., May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Electricity is an essential part of our modern lives. Often, we don't give electricity a second thought or consider the hidden dangers it can pose if we are not careful. Education about electrical safety can mean the difference between life and death. That's why Dominion Virginia Power wants its customers to focus on the safety of children and other members of the community during National Electrical Safety month.

"On any given day people use electrical appliances without realizing there are some real risk and hazards associated with their use," said Jerry Beverage—director, Safety and Training, Dominion Virginia Power. "Education plays a major role in the prevention of accidents, and it is best to learn at a young age. Even experts like our line crews respect the potential dangers."

According to the Electric Safety Foundation International, each year about 51,000 electrical fires are reported and nearly 400 Americans are electrocuted, despite improved product safety and electrical codes. The truth is that electrical shocks and burns can cause severe injury or even death.

Sadly, some of the accidents involve children in their own homes. Because of their natural curiosity and tendency to explore, it is especially important to childproof your home and yard, and teach children about the dangers of electricity.

Safety tips for kids include:

• Teach children that electricity and water don't mix. Keep all radios, hair dryers and other appliances secured or out of bathrooms. Appliances like hair dryers should never be used near water-filled tubs and sinks.
• Push small appliances to the back of your counters and keep electrical cords out of the reach.
• Teach kids not to poke things into electrical outlets, toasters, or any other electric appliances, whether they are on or off. Use plug covers or inserts in all your outlets. Show them the proper way to plug and unplug electric cords.
• Inform kids to never fly kites near power lines or around electrical substations. Balls or other objects accidentally tossed into an electrical substation should be left there. Call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) and we can retrieve the item for you.
• Tell kids not to climb or play in trees if there are power lines nearby or lines touching or growing in between the branches.
• Kids should also know that pad-mounted transformers (those green metal boxes in neighborhoods) are not safe places to play.
• After a storm, be sure to survey your property for any downed power lines or tree limbs that may have come into contact with the lines before allowing children or pets outside to play.

Keeping communities safe is an integral part Dominion's culture. The Dominion Virginia Power Safety & Training team sponsors a variety of educational events at local schools and provides training for first responders and public safety personnel.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 24,600 megawatts of generation, 12,400 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,455 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 949 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves utility and retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power