London Hydro Wins Award for Teaching Kids Electricity Safety

For Immediate Release

London, ON – October 8, 2025 — London Hydro has earned provincial recognition for a program that has been shaping safety habits in local classrooms for decades. On September 17, the company received the Consumer and Home Safety Award at the Ontario Electrical Safety Awards, hosted by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

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The award highlights London Hydro’s School Electricity Safety Program, which has been running for more than 35 years. The program brings in London Hydro employees from various departments in the organization into local classrooms to teach children how to stay safe around electricity, whether at home, at school, or outdoors.

During the 2024/25 school year alone, the program reached more than 6,200 students at 33 London schools. Presentations are aimed at grades 3 to 8, using hands-on activities, demonstrations, and storytelling to make important lessons both memorable and fun.

“At London Hydro, we’re proud to support a program that helps young people make safe choices around electricity,” said London Hydro CEO Ysni Semsedini. “By starting conversations in the classroom and encouraging kids to share what they learn at home, we’re helping build a safer community.”

The program covers a wide range of everyday safety situations. Students learn:

• How to stay clear of overhead powerlines and other electrical equipment

• What to do if they encounter downed wires or see an electrical fire

• How to recognize hazards inside the home, such as overloaded outlets or damaged cords

• Safety tips during storms, including how to protect themselves from lightning

One of the most important parts of the program is that children are encouraged to take what they learn back home. Many families end up talking about safety tips around the dinner table, turning classroom lessons into real-life habits that can help prevent accidents.

“Electricity powers our lives, but it also comes with risks,” Ysni noted. “Teaching kids at an early age how to respect it is one of the best ways we can help prevent accidents and keep families safe.”

The program also includes an annual Electrical Safety Poster Contest for grades 3 to 6. Students use art to show the lessons they’ve learned, creating colourful posters with important safety messages. Winners are recognized at their schools by London Hydro, giving kids a moment to shine while reinforcing how important these safety lessons are.

Teachers have praised the program for blending education with engagement. Instead of just listening to rules, students are encouraged to ask questions, share their own experiences, and even see demonstrations that show the power—and potential dangers—of electricity. For many children, it’s a lesson that sticks with them well into adulthood.

With bookings for the 2025/26 school year opening soon, London Hydro says the program remains one of its most important community initiatives.

The recognition from ESA shines a spotlight on the importance of safety education, but for London Hydro, the bigger reward is knowing that thousands of children walk away with knowledge that could one day save a life.