'Shocking' Television Stunt Spurs ComEd Warning about Electrical Safety

'Shocking' Television Stunt Spurs ComEd Warning about Electrical Safety

CHICAGO, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd is reminding its customers not to take electric safety lightly as NBC prepares to air an episode of "Fear Factor" tonight that features contestants making their way through a maze of electrically charged wires.

The program's Web site describes the stunt as "a forty-foot maze of hundreds of electrically charged wires, each packing a jolting punch." One contestant said the experience "shocks you so much that, by the time we got to the pole and you're trying to clip the flags on, you're just left shaking."

The Edison Electric Institute, which represents major U.S. utilities including ComEd, has warned NBC that there's no such thing as a safe shock.

"We and others in our industry are concerned that copycats may attempt similar stunts near electrical lines or equipment, resulting in serious or fatal injuries," said ComEd President Frank Clark. "People should not be tempted to play around electricity. This is an opportunity for us to stress safety."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that electrical shocks and fires injure thousands of people each year. Here are some safety reminders for people to focus on year round:

-- Never climb utility poles or trees near power lines, or play on or
around electrical equipment.
-- Assume all wires are live and dangerous. Never touch an outdoor wire
with any part of your body, toys or other objects. Stay away from
fallen power lines.
-- Stay away from anything marked "Danger," "High Voltage," or "Keep Out".
-- Do not go into an electric substation for any reason - even on a dare.
And, never attempt to rescue a pet that goes inside. Instead, call
ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661).
-- Never fly a kite, model airplanes, balloons or other toys near power
lines. Also, do not attempt to retrieve toys or other objects that may
get stuck on power lines or other electrical equipment. Instead, call
ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1.
-- Never play with electrical cords or touch cords that are broken or have
wire showing.
-- Never stick anything but an electrical plug into an electrical outlet.
-- Never touch electric toys or anything electrical if you are wet or
standing in water.




"Electricity is unforgiving," Clark said. "You are not likely to get a second chance. We do not want our customers putting their lives in jeopardy."

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE:EXC) one of the nation's largest electric utilities with nearly $12 billion in revenues and a customer base of five million. ComEd provides service to more than 3.4 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.


Source: Commonwealth Edison Company

CONTACT: John Dewey of Commonwealth Edison, +1-312-394-3500

Web site: http://www.exeloncorp.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: ComEd will make its safety experts available for interviews

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