ELECTRICITY bosses have issued a warning to people to steer clear of power lines and sub-stations.

Manweb are alerting people to the dangers of flying kites, model aircraft or balloons near overhead power lines following two recent incidents in which children's kites became entangled in 11,000-volt overhead wires. They have also warned children of the dangers of climbing on electricity-carrying structures.

A Manweb spokesman said: "Trying to enter our sub-stations or climbing any structure is very dangerous, and youngsters who do this are risking death or serious injury."

Safety should also be kept in mind when people decorate towns or villages for summer fetes. The spokesman added: "People are sometimes tempted to attach bunting or banners to Manweb's electricity poles. We cannot stress highly enough that this is dangerous - if people touch live wires they will almost certainly be killed. Even ladders or bunting itself can conduct electricity, so the best course of action is not to attach anything to our equipment."

Meanwhile, in the run-up to the summer holidays, Manweb also hope that schools will take the opportunity to again show the safety video 'Powerful stuff' which graphically illustrates what happens if safety laws are ignored.

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