At Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and employees. Electricity is an invisible hazard, which is why it’s paramount to make our communities aware of the danger – including our youngest customers.

Recently, southwest Michigan lineworkers visited Squires Elementary School in Cassopolis to teach students how to be safe near electricity and electrical equipment. The lineworkers utilized I&M’s Safety Trailer – a highly visual aid that gives live demonstrations of what may happen if a tree limb, rubber boot or animal encounters a live power line. The trailer also shows what can occur if a shovel hits an underground power line and what to do if someone hits a power pole causing wires to fall onto a car.

“Making these visits to local schools is important because a lot of people don’t have the understanding of the hidden dangers of electricity,” said Donny Williams, Manager of Distribution Systems for the southwest Michigan districts. “The safety trailer demonstrates hazards in a visible way, often making a lasting impression – which is important for our youngest community members to see and learn.”

The safety trailer was created in 2010 and is used across I&M’s footprint to educate police and fire departments, community organizations and local school corporations. Lineworkers give a twenty-minute demonstration and answer questions from the audience.

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