Lyudmila Merkulova, Head of Infant Electrical Injuries Control Group of Samara Distribution Grids (SDG), a branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC (a member of Rosseti Group), participated in a press conference initiated by the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Samara region to address selfie safety issues. Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia took part in the event by videoconferencing. According to statistical data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the growing number of injuries among teenagers who tried to take unusual selfies has been recently observed in Russia. Young people try to take selfies on the roof of a building or cliff, railway tracks or roof of a train, and near power facilities. The above unreasonable actions caused injuries and even death. Police officers reminded Internet surfers that even a million likes on social media will not compensate them for perished health and life. The audience was also told about conditions, places and situations threatening health and life of selfie takers. This issue is an area of concern for Samara branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC. Samara Distribution Grids pursue continuous efforts for preventing electrical injuries among external persons near power facilities. Posters, brochures and handout reference materials contain standard safety rules to follow when staying near power facilities and at home, as well as standard description of effects of the electric current in the body and tips for using protective equipment. However, necessary changes shall be always made to standard safety rules to keep up with the times. Selfies (self-portrait photos) are a modern day trend. To take an unusual selfie, teenagers are ready to risk their health and life. In the Tula region, a 14 y.o. schoolboy who tried to take a selfie on a power line pole was killed by electric shock. According to preliminary data, the teenager climbed the pole to take a photo using his cell phone. Then he was given an electric shock, hit the ground and died. In early May, 2015, a young Romanian who tried to take a selfie on the roof of a train was killed by electric shock. A 13 y.o. resident of the Penza region was seriously injured by electricity on the roof of a railway tank where she climbed for photo session. In the Ryazan region, a schoolboy who tried to take a selfie on a railway bridge was killed by electric shock. He caught hold of the power line and was given an electric shock. Chasing doubtful pleasure and fleeting glory, one may lose the most precious thing - life. SDG's specialists remind: follow safety rules when staying near power facilities! Pay attention to warning signs "Stop! High Voltage!", "Danger! Keep Out!", "Danger! High Voltage!" attached to power line poles, fences and doors of electrical plants. It is strictly forbidden to closely approach or climb poles or play directly under the power transmission lines, open the doors and enter into transformer substations, and touch the power equipment components. Always keep a safe distance (at least 8 m) from a sagging or broken wire on the ground, as it presents a serious threat to life. Never fish new power transmission lines, violate rights-of-way, put foreign objects on wires or perform any works under power lines. SDG's professional remind that a selfie stick must never be used near power transmission lines. High-voltage wires only look out of reach. In fact, the closest wires are just 6 meters away. One may be given a lethal electric shock through the air without touching high-voltage wires. To save your life, strictly follow the electrical safety rules! "Unfortunately, people take serious risk just to post their photos on their social media page. Last year, Russian and foreign teenagers were killed by electric shock caused by violation of basic electrical safety rules. At the present time, we make changes to our electrical safety lectures and add new information to handout reference materials. No electricity selfies are possible! Never climb power line poles just to take a photo. Remember that as electricity can cause death, and the above tragic stories are cases in point," commented Konstantin Sanaev, Deputy General Director of IDGC of Volga, PJSC, and Director of Samara Distribution Grids.

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