For schools
Electric Kids
We use electricity safely every day in our homes, from turning on the TV or radio, switching on a light, playing video games and cooking on a electric stove. Electricity is powerful, so play it safe. Learn more about how to safely live and work with electricity.
What is energy?
Energy is part of our daily lives, it is the ability to do work. Energy is in everything. We use energy for everything we do, from making a jump shot to baking cookies to sending astronauts into space. Simple things like eating, and doing homework are also ways in which you use energy.
Energy can take a various forms such as heat (thermal), light (radiant), mechanical, electrical, chemical, and nuclear energy. There are two types of energy: Stored (potential) Energy and Working (kinetic) Energy.
All forms of energy are stored in different ways, in the energy sources that we use every day. These sources are divided into two groups: Renewable (energy source that can be used over and over again e.g. solar energy) and Non-renewable (energy source that can be used up and cannot recreate in a short period of time). Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources can be used to produce secondary energy sources including electricity.
What is electricity?
Electricity is a form of energy. Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is generated when millions of electrons move around and create force fields that create energy.
The electricity we use in our homes comes from a primary source like oil, nuclear power, coal, natural gas, the sun, or other natural sources. LUCELEC brings energy to you so you have the power to light your house, play your video games, operate appliances and equipment and much more.
Play it safe
Staying safe around electricity
LUCELEC wants to help you learn how to stay safe when it comes to electric power. Electricity is a useful and powerful tool in our lives. But electricity, when handled improperly, can be very dangerous - even deadly. Great respect is demanded from kids and adults in order to prevent accidents. So when you are at home or out and about with friends, be alert, look around you.
- Ensure your home is properly grounded; if in doubt, hire a qualified electrician to check.
- Always remember to dry your hands before handling plugs or switches.
- Train children to respect electricity. Plastic outlet guards are a must for their protection.
- Never substitute the fuse in your panel with ordinary wire or anything else. This can cause a fire and can even be deadly.
- Only proper plugs must be inserted into sockets. Avoid using loose wires, a child may be watching!
Useful links
Learn more elsewhere
Two outside resources LUCELEC recommends. They are not LUCELEC sites.
Discovery Education (opens in a new tab)
Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning.
SafeElectricity.org (opens in a new tab)
Safe Electricity.org is the award-winning, multi-media public awareness program of the Energy Education Council, a registered organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency.