Delaware Electric Cooperative, in partnership with the National Energy Foundation, recently presented the Energy Safe Kids program to 13 schools across Kent and Sussex counties. From March 31 through April 4, 18 engaging presentations were held, reaching more than 1,500 fourth-grade students.

The interactive program educated children on how to stay safe around electricity at home and in the community through fun, age-appropriate lessons. Students learned about electricity and how it works in hands-on experiments, discussed ways to stay safe around electrical equipment and practiced ways to react safely in emergency situations.

Participating schools included: Allen Frear Elementary, Central Elementary, Delmarva Christian School, Georgetown Elementary, H.O. Brittingham Elementary, Lake Forest Central Elementary, Love Creek Elementary, Maj. George S. Welch Elementary, Milton Elementary, Nellie H. Stokes Elementary, Phillis Wheatley Elementary, Rehoboth Elementary and Sussex Academy Elementary.

“Programs like Energy Safe Kids are vital to our mission,” said Rob Book, DEC president and CEO. “We’re committed to the safety and well-being of the communities we serve. By educating the next generation, we’re creating a culture of safety around electricity that extends from the classroom to home.”

To encourage discussing electrical safety at home, students were provided take-home safety surveys to complete with their families. Teachers will receive classroom grants when at least 80% of their students complete the surveys. In 2024, DEC awarded nearly $2,000 in grants to reward classrooms conducting home safety surveys.

2025 marks the fifth year that DEC and NEF have partnered to bring electric safety awareness to Delaware fourth-graders. Presentations have reached thousands of students and hundreds of educators in DEC’s service area since its launch.

Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility powering more than 300,000 people in Kent and Sussex counties. 

The National Energy Foundation has helped empower millions of students and families to make energy-wise choices for over four decades through its nonprofit mission to cultivate and promote an energy-literate society. For more information, go to nef1.org.