Parents and guardians across the region are being urged to warn their youngsters about the dangers of playing around powerful electrical equipment.

The warning message comes from Electricity North West who operate the power network for the region.

Thousands of children are now enjoying the Easter break and Electricity North West is calling on parents, guardians and children to take note of its yellow electricity warning signs and stay away from the power network.

Clive Wilkinson, Electricity North West’s operations director, said: “Easter’s an excellent opportunity to spend time outdoors, particularly as the weather starts to improve.

“For everybody’s safety, it’s vital people know what is around, particularly where they are playing. People must stay clear of the electricity network, it’s extremely powerful and can be very dangerous.

“The network includes overhead electricity lines, substations and many pylons and wooden poles. To help alert the public, we have bright yellow ‘Danger of death’ signs around the network.

“We want everybody to enjoy the great outdoors safely and we ask people to take note of their surrounding at all times.”

People are warned not to use items equipment such as kites near overhead lines as electricity can travel down the string of a kite. Anglers are asked to look out for overhead lines when casting and if people lose a ball or Frisbee in a substation, they are urged not to retrieve it.

“If any belongings land in the grounds of a substation or close to the network, we urge the public to stay away,” added Clive.

“All they need to do is call Electricity North West at no cost and our engineers will attend and retrieve any objects safely.

“I really cannot stress how powerful the electricity network is, it’s key people take note of the signage and our messages and stay away.”

Anybody who sees anything dangerous in or around the power network can call Electricity North West on 105.