29 Schools have won $80,000 in annual Wires Down Video Challenge

BALTIMORE, (August 31, 2015) — As the new school year begins, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) is pleased to announce the launch of its fourth annual Wires Down Video Challenge to raise awareness about the importance of electrical safety among elementary school-aged children. From Aug. 31 until Nov. 9, 2015, elementary school teachers (kindergarten through fifth grade) in public and private elementary schools across BGE’s electric service area are encouraged to work with their class to submit 30 to 45-second videos of their interpretation of BGE’s popular “Wires Down” electrical safety commercial. Entries have a chance to win up to $10,000 to fund a school enrichment program. At least one winning school will be chosen as a winner from each participating county. The Emmy Award winning “Wires Down” commercial was produced in 2000 with its memorable “Wires down. Red alert! … Do not, do not, do not touch!” lyrics. The commercial educated young children about the dangers of downed power lines.

In 2012, BGE re-introduced “Wires Down” to a new generation of elementary school students with the establishment of the Wires Down Video Challenge to provide educators with a fun and creative way to teach students about electrical safety—starring in their own versions of the safety video. New to the contest this year, is a $500 award to purchase classroom supplies to the teacher of the top prizing winning class. Also new, as an incentive to submit entries early, the first five schools to enter the contest win a portable power bank for charging mobile devices.

Since inception of the Wires Down Video Challenge, BGE has awarded $80,000 to fund school enrichment programs at 29 schools throughout the BGE service area, including: 

• 6 schools in Anne Arundel County 
• 7 schools in Baltimore City 
• 8 schools in Baltimore County 
• 3 schools in Carroll County 
• 3 schools in Harford County 
• 2 schools in Howard County

Visit www.bgevideochallenge.com for contest information, including official rules, downloadable entry kit and tips. Last year, Sarah M. Roach Elementary School in Baltimore City won the contest’s top prize, a $10,000 school enrichment award, which the school planned to use to purchase new laptop computers to start a technology club. You can view their winning video at www.bgevideochallenge.com.

The Wires Down Video Challenge entry kit includes an electricity lesson plan and worksheets developed to Maryland science standards. In addition to this contest, BGE provides schools and students with energy safety and other educational materials on safety, including classroom lessons, teacher guides, experiments and games – all of which are available on our e-Smart Kids website. Schools can also schedule a free BGE safety demonstration by emailing BGEEducationOutreach@BGE.com. BGE reminds all customers stay away from power lines and report any downed power lines or electrical emergencies immediately by calling 1.800.685.0123. Follow these safety guidelines: 

• Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down, appears to be insulated or if power is out at nearby premises. 
• Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call BGE at 1.800.685.0123 to report fallen electric lines. 
• Keep yourself and equipment at least 10 feet away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. 
• If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires. 
• Avoid touching anything that may be in contact with an overhead wire like tree limbs or other debris. 
• If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call emergency services. 
• Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water. 
• Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized. 
• Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it. 

If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). 

Always use caution when working near electricity. Visit BGE.com for more information about the third annual Wires Down Video Challenge. To access resources please visit the Wires Down Video Challenge site, the BGE electrical safety web page or the e-Smart Kids portal.

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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of approximately $27.4 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.