It's not always easy being a parent, especially when it comes to teaching about safety -I speak from experience! One challenge is that many of the images children see on TV and in movies show the characters encountering and overcoming numerous dangers... and never getting hurt.

I often point out that what we're seeing on TV or in other entertainment is "not real," that this didn't or doesn't happen in "real life." The message takes on urgency when I see a dangerous scene that a child might be inclined to imitate.

This summer's movie "Like Mike" presented one of those circumstances. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the movie features an extremely hazardous, possibly fatal act.

"Like Mike" depicts a child who is struck by lightning while trying to retrieve a pair of sneakers off a utility line. The child and the sneakers then become "super charged," enabling the child to become a star basketball player like Michael Jordan.

As adults we understand that this is in reality a deadly act. Children may not understand that contact with a power line can cause serious burns and electrocution.

A spokeswoman for 20th Century Fox said the scene was clearly not meant to be real. "The film in no way advocates taking dangerous risks of any kind including touching power lines," said spokeswoman Florence Grace.

The corporate safety director of an east coast utility argues otherwise. Gary LeMoine first learned of the upcoming movie after an employee's child saw a promotional piece for it and indicated he, too, wanted to retrieve shoes off a power line so that he could be a child NBA star.

The movie has mobilized many within the electric utility industry to warn parents to talk to their children. "We're very concerned about the message this film (sends) to children. Contact with power lines is extremely dangerous," LeMoine said.

Safe Electricity, a public awareness program of the Illinois Electric Council, took steps before the film was released to urge parents, and other adults responsible for children, to help them understand the difference between the fantasy presented by the movie and reality.

Please take the time to teach your children to always follow safety rules - especially if they see someone do something dangerous and not get hurt on TV or in a movie.

When it comes to electrical safety, please make sure children understand and follow these basic safety rules:

• Never climb trees near power lines. Even if the power lines aren't touching the tree, they could touch when more weight is added to the branch.

• Fly kites and model airplanes in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree that's near power lines, don't climb up to get it. Contact your electric coop for assistance.

• Never climb a utility pole. Don't play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment.

• If you see a power line on the ground, stay far away from it and warn others to stay away. Assume all downed lines are energized. Call your electric co-op.

• Never go into an electric substation for any reason • even on a dare. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment, which can kill you. Never rescue a pet that goes inside. Call your electric co-op instead.

For help in teaching kids about electrical safety, visit www.SafeElectricity.org. The site features games and interactive activities that allow children to have fun while learning to be safe. There's a Home Safety Checklist that kids can print off so the whole family knows what hazards to look for right where they live. With lesson plans for teachers, experiments and other activities, everything needed to help kids learn to be safe around electricity can be found in one convenient place.

The site is a "virtual safety library" with a wealth of information on electrical safety for work and home, as well as play.

So right now, put this magazine down, take a moment to help your children learn to be safe. And when they see dangerous behavior on TV or in movies, take the opportunity to reinforce safe habits by talking about it. What you say could save a life, a life you cherish more than your own.

Molly Hall is the Director of Safe Electricity. E-mail hall@SafeElectricity. org.

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.aiec.org