BLOOMINGTON - A fake bird and live wires were some of the props used to teach children electrical safety at Home Show 2009 Saturday. | Photo gallery

Scott McTaggart of Alvin, Ill.-based Live Line Demo, stood behind live wires with a fake bird and instructed the audience of about 50 attendees, many of them families with young children, on techniques to prevent electrocution. He used a yellow insulating rod or "hot stick" throughout the demonstration to safely infuse objects with electricity.

McTaggart discussed precautions parents can take to prevent their children from being harmed from electricity.

For example, he attached a pink and white mylar balloon to his insulating rod. Bringing the balloon into contact with an active power wire caused sparks to fly, and he explained that's because the balloon was made of metal.

"Don't ever take a mylar balloon, take a wire, and tie it to your child's wrist," he said. "When you're done with the mylar balloon, please pop the balloon."

He also cautioned the audience about the importance of keeping children from touching power lines.

"If there's a pool in your backyard, and there's wires, bury the wires," he said. "It's just too dangerous."

McTaggart's event was one of many at the three-day show, which continues today at Bloomington's Interstate Center. The show is expected to draw from 12,000 to 15,000 visitors over the course of the weekend, said Lisa Kohn of the Bloomington-Normal Area Home Builders Association, which co-sponsors the event with The Pantagraph.

The show features children's activities such as face painting and author Deb Lund. More than 340 companies and organizations had booths at the event.

Meanwhile, McTaggart also told his audience about the importance of using ground fault interrupter extension cords, which cost about $30. The cord can help prevention electrocution if an attached appliance is dropped in water by the user.

"You're worth that," he said. "Your spouse is worth that. Your kids are worth that."

Corn Belt Energy Corp. sponsored McTaggart's demonstration, and Ronald Stack, vice president of utility services, said it was done to promote safety. The company also sponsors it in local schools.

"It's great for the students, regardless of their age, to see it," he said. "Many times they bring it home to mom and dad and say, 'Did you know this?'"

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Home Show 2009

What: 22nd annual Home Show sponsored by the Bloomington-Normal Area Home Builders Association and The Pantagraph.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today

Where: Interstate Center, Bloomington

Cost: $5 adults; under 18, free