For Immediate Release
Contact
aaron.koos@bge.com
Aaron Koos
More than 20 elementary schools from across BGE’s service area created renditions of BGE’s original ‘Wires Down’ television commercial for a chance to win up to $10,000
BALTIMORE, Nov. 25, 2014 – The BGE Wires Down Video Challenge is now in the online voting phase and BGE encourages the public to visit BGEvideochallenge.com to view and vote for their favorite student videos. The contest helps promote electric safety among school-age children by challenging elementary schools in BGE’s central Maryland electric service area to create their own renditions of BGE’s "Wires Down" television commercial for a chance to win between $1,000-10,000 to fund a school enrichment project.
"For the third straight year, elementary school students have submitted inspired, creative interpretations of our classic electric safety ad," said Chris Burton, vice president of electric operations for BGE. "We’re excited that every year, new generations of children are introduced to this important safety message and now are taking a part in sharing it with other kids."
Originally produced in 2000, the Emmy Award-winning "Wires Down" commercial with its "do not, do not, do not touch" refrain helps to raise awareness of electricity hazards and the dangers associated with downed power lines, especially among young children.
Twenty-four elementary schools in BGE’s service area are competing for the opportunity to win $10,000 toward school enrichment projects. Video submissions were accepted online from Sept. 8 through Nov. 14. Online voting opened on Nov. 24 and continues through Dec. 8. The videos with the highest overall number of votes, along with up to five merit-based videos, will advance to the final judging phase. Winning schools will be announced in January 2015.
Participating schools in the third annual Wires Down Video Challenge will have the opportunity to win the following awards:
Visit www.bgevideochallenge.com to vote for your favorite entries in the third annual Wires Down Video Challenge.
In addition to the team-building and creative aspects of the video challenge, teachers can also download free educational materials on electric and natural gas safety and energy efficiency, including classroom lessons, teacher guides, experiments and games through BGE’s e-Smart Kids website.
Customers are always reminded to stay away from downed power lines and to report them immediately by calling 1.800.685.0123. Customers are encouraged to review and share the following electrical safety information with their families:
Visit BGE.com for more information. To access resources please visit the Wires Down Video Challenge site, the Electrical Safety page or the e-Smart Kids portal.
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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of 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 2013 revenues of approximately $24.9 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.