'CALL THE KITEMAN!' - KITEMAN RETURNS TO URGE SAFETY WHEN FLYING KITES
Posted: June 6th, 2011 11:30 AM
Popular icon to appear at Lincoln City Kite Festival June 25-26
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. - "What if your kite w-i-i-i-i-n-d-s around a power line?" Those who grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons in the 1970s and 1980s know the answer - "Call the Kiteman!"
Back by popular demand, Kiteman will make rare appearances at the upcoming Lincoln City Kite Festival, mingling with a new generation of fans - and sharing his kite safety message - in the tent at the children's kite-making station. The kite festival is June 25-26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at D River Wayside Park in Lincoln City. Kiteman will be appearing from 10 to 11 a.m. each day. For more information, check www.pacificpower.net/kiteman.
Pacific Power first created Kiteman in 1978 as part of a kite safety campaign, and he continues to have a surprisingly loyal, nostalgic following. Many of his fans, now parents, continue to look for any sign of him. There's even a "Bring back 'Call the Kiteman' commercials!" Facebook page, and several blogs. To fans, the term "I like frogs" is forever entwined with that funny-looking Kiteman.
The TV commercial footage, unfortunately, is long gone and Kiteman's remaining costume is showing its age, but his message never goes out of style - kite safety.
While kites - and Kiteman - are certainly fun, kites pose a serious, even deadly, hazard if they contact power lines. That is because electrical currents always seek the quickest route to the ground, and a kite string that is wet, dirty or contains metal or any other conductive material can detour the electricity from the power line to the ground, using the string - and the kite flier - as conductors.
Keep these safety tips in mind next time you pull out the kites:
* Fly kites only in open areas, away from power poles, overhead power lines, substations, trees and other obstacles.
* Only use kites made of wood or plastic, never metal or mylar. Only use cloth for the tail.
* Use only cotton, linen or nylon string, never metal, wire or wire-reinforced string. Wet string is also dangerous.
* Only fly kites in dry weather. And, never fly a kite during an electrical storm.
* If a kite is caught in a tree, check to make certain there aren't any power lines near the tree before climbing it.
* If a kite does get caught in overhead power lines, release the string at once. Do not pull the string or climb the power pole to retrieve the kite.
* And, NEVER attempt to retrieve a kite caught in a power line or that falls into a substation. Instead, "Call the Kiteman" at Pacific Power, toll-free 1-888-221-7070.
To learn more about electrical safety, visit www.pacificpower.net/safety.
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About Pacific Power
Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to more than 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing 1.7 million customers with value for their energy dollar and safe, reliable electricity. In 2010, Pacific Power celebrated 100 years serving customers and communities. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.
Editor's Notes:
Text and camera description excerpts from original ad:
"Is a safe kite made of metal?"
Cut to a small group of children seated on the grass who then shake their heads.
Cut back to Kiteman:
"Wire or wet string?"
Back to kids, more in the spirit now.
"Never!"
Kiteman:
"What about frogs?"
Cut to single shot of a girl in the crowd of kids:
"I like frogs."
Kiteman:
"What if your kite winds (he draws out the word as he twirls his eyes theatrically) around a powerline?"
Kids are really "bringing it home" now:
"Call the Kiteman!"
Close-up of almost-smirking Kiteman.
"At Pacific Power" (wink)
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