AUB WARNS: TRYING TO “BE LIKE MIKE”
COULD BE FATAL

ATHENS, Tenn. - In the new film “Like Mike” which opened July 3, the film’s child star comes dangerously close to electrical power lines during a rainstorm, in turn getting a pair of “energized” shoes that makes him a sports star. While the film may be enjoyable, the acts portrayed in the scene could be deadly in real life.

Athens Utilities Board reminds customers to avoid electrical facilities and never to throw objects onto power lines or attempt to get them down. The actions depicted in the movie’s make-believe scene are extremely dangerous and, if replicated, would most likely result in severe electrical shock or death.

In the movie, 14-year-old Calvin, played by Lil Bow Wow, climbs up on a roof to grab an old pair of basketball shoes hanging from a power line. As his hand reaches the sneakers, lightning strikes a nearby pole, sending a jolt down the line that throws Calvin to the ground, still holding the “energized” shoes. The shoes give Calvin super abilities on the basketball court, allowing him to become the first child star of the NBA. It’s that element of the story that might encourage younger children to attempt to energize their shoes in a similar manner.

“It might be entertaining, but it couldn’t be more dangerous,” said AUB spokesman Wayne Scarbrough. “We urge our customers to refrain from doing anything like this. Parents should make sure their kids know that this is fictional, just a movie, and that such an act could kill them.”

AUB distribution lines such as the one in the movie scene can carry thousands of volts. Lightning strikes can pack a punch of more than 3 million volts.

Electricity searches for the shortest path to the ground. In the movie’s scenario, the child’s body -- a good conductor because of high water content -- would be that path. At best, injuries would include severe damage to internal organs. Most likely a jolt of this magnitude would be fatal.

For more information on electrical safety, visit AUB's web site at www.aub.org.