For FirstEnergy’s Louie the Lightning Bug, Keeping Kids Safe is a Birthday Wish Come True

What do you do when you encounter a downed wire after a storm? How do you exit a car safely if there’s a downed electrical wire on the vehicle? What number should you call to stay safe while digging?

Now, students at Crouse Community Learning Center in Akron can answer all of those questions and more, thanks to Louie the Lightning Bug and FirstEnergy’s Live Wire Electrical Safety School Program. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Louie and members of FirstEnergy’s Live Wire Squad visited the school to share important safety messages in honor of the beloved bug’s 40th birthday – recognizing four decades of teaching kids and families how to use electricity safely and responsibly.

Two fourth grade classes earned the live electrical safety program by participating in a safety poster contest sponsored by FirstEnergy. Louie the Lightning Bug looked on as FirstEnergy employees brought electrical safety to life, using the company’s new PowerTOWN demonstration tool. An important addition to FirstEnergy’s Stop. Look. Live safety initiative, the table-top PowerTOWNs are fitted with a house, props and power lines that are electrified at the flip of a switch.

“The program was developed to teach students about the dangers associated with electricity and how to keep themselves and their families safe,” said Luanne Snyder, as she and colleagues from the Customer Accounts and Safety teams prepared the demonstration. 

Once the stage was set, James Chandler slipped on safety gloves to show students what happens when common items such as ladders, trees, kites and vehicles come into contact with energized equipment. Eyes lit up and the cafeteria erupted with “oooohs” and “ahhhhs” when electricity arced like lightning throughout the demonstration.

After asking students to recall key takeaways, the Safety team provided students with fun safety swag, including a hard hat and workbook to take home and share with their families. In addition, one fourth grade class was invited to share birthday cupcakes with Louie for designing the winning safety poster, which offered kid-friendly tips about how to be smart around electricity. 

Submitted by students in Amanda Ruda’s class, the bright and colorful poster reminded everyone to keep kites and balloons away from power lines – stressing that it’s important to practice safety at all times because electricity is almost everywhere.

Donning a blue party hat, Louie stood proudly as Ruda’s students enthusiastically sang Happy Birthday, lining up to hug the birthday bug after helping him blow out candles and urging him to make a wish. 

“My kids really enjoyed today’s presentation, and they learned how to stay safe,” said Ruda, adding that electrical safety has been on her students’ minds since the historic storms swept through northeast Ohio in August. 

“Now, my students know what to do, and they’ve told me they’re not as afraid anymore,” she added.

For a safety mascot like Louie, that’s a birthday wish come true.

To learn more about FirstEnergy’s demonstrated commitment to keeping customers, communities and first responders safe, visit our Public Safety page.