The global craze of the Pokemon Go game app continues to raise eyebrows on multiple fronts with increasing calls for the use of common sense by game players. You can now add Indiana Michigan Power to those cautioning players, as some are being attracted to electrical substations and transformers that could seriously injure or even kill you.
Indiana Michigan Power's Communications Consultant Erica Putt issued a warning this morning to "Beware of electrical substation locations that may be included on the new Pokemon game app."
Putt notes that everyone is talking about and playing the new game, which routinely incorporates established buildings and landmarks as gathering sites for players. She says, "There is some discussion that you can catch an electric type Pokemon near substations and transformers." Bad idea, folks!
Putt says, "Please be advised that electrical substations and transformers are very dangerous and not to be considered as gaming locations. You should never climb the fence or enter a substation. Stay away from all power lines and transformers on utility poles or located on the ground in green boxes. Don't climb company poles to try and reach transformers."
The Pokemon Go craze has already led to many strange occurrences including a young woman who found a dead body along a river front, a couple of teens who discovered an injured puppy while searching for points, and even a woman who learned from her boyfriend's phone that he had been cheating on her with an ex-girlfriend when tracing his GPS steps from the game. There have also been stories of players being lured to remote places and being robbed or attacked in the process.
Those are mild incidents compared to the potential electrocution from playing with electrical transmission gear anywhere in the world. The consequences from such a situation are decidedly more severe than missing out on a few extra game points in a silly video game. Use common sense and stay safe…and alive.
