Press Release: Online Voting Under Way for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Wires Down Video Challenge

 Press Release: Online Voting Under Way for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Wires Down Video Challenge
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Online Voting Under Way for Baltimore Gas and Electric

Company’s Wires Down Video Challenge

BGE Wires Down Video Challenge promotes electric safety among elementary school children
Twenty-nine 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 to fund a school enrichment project

BALTIMORE, Dec.10, 2012 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx>  today announced that it is in its final week of online voting for the BGE Wires Down Video Challenge, a contest developed to educate children about safety around electrical equipment and the dangers associated with downed power lines. 

Thirty videos from 29 elementary schools in BGE’s service area are competing for the opportunity to win funding for pre-determined school enrichment projects and the possibility of winning a $10,000 gold award.  Open to all public and private elementary schools in BGE’s central Maryland service area, local schools were encouraged to create their own adaption of BGE’s popular “Wires Down” electric safety commercial <https://www.facebook.com/myBGE> . Originally produced in 2000, the Emmy Award-winning commercial with its “do not, do not, do not touch” refrain helped to raise awareness of electricity hazards, especially among young children. 

“We are excited to see the wonderful entries in the Wires Down Video Challenge, and we invite our customers to visit BGEvideochallenge.com <file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\e16140\Local%20Settings\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\Content.Outlook\5N2J2BZZ\BGEvideochallenge.com>  to view the videos and vote for their favorite submissions,” said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE. “We especially encourage parents to share the videos with their children as it provides an excellent opportunity to continue to educate children about the importance of electric safety.  The original ‘Wires Down’ commercial was an important way for BGE to educate customers about the dangers associated with downed power lines, especially children who may be unaware of the safety hazards.  Our new Wires Down Video Challenge offers educators a fun, creative way for students to not only learn about electric safety, but to also share that information with family and friends. The safety of our customers and employees remains a top priority for BGE.”

Participating schools created a 30- to 45-second video, based on BGE’s original “Wires Down” commercial. Video submissions were accepted online from Sept. 17 through Nov. 30. Online voting opened on Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 15. 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 2013. 

In addition to the team-building and artistic qualities the video challenge provides, educators can also download free educational material on gas and electric safety, including classroom lessons, teacher guides, experiments and games through BGE’s e-Smart Kids website <http://www.bge-education.com/> .

For more information about the challenge, visit BGEvideochallenge.com <file:///C:\Users\E17446\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\Content.Outlook\O3CI6F0X\BGEvideochallenge.com> . To receive updates about the video challenge, email videochallengeinfo@bge.com with the subject “Sign Me Up.” 

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:

·         Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down, appears to be insulated or if power is out at nearby premises.

·         Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call BGE to report fallen electrical lines. 

·         Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. 

·         If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires. 

·         Likewise, avoid touching anything that may be coming into contact with an overhead wire, like tree limbs or other debris.

·         If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call emergency services.

·         Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water. 

·         Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized. 

·         Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it. 

·         If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). 

·         Always use caution when working near electricity. 

For more information on wires down and electric safety, visit bge.com <http://www.bge.com/> . 

BGE <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx> , headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 650,000 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 approximately $33 billion in annual revenues.  Like us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/myBGE>  and follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/mybge> , YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/baltimoregaselectric>   and Flickr <http://www.flickr.com/photos/mybge> .