Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) is once again holding an artwork contest for local children to encourage them to be creative while learning about safety around electricity.

Now until April 15, children of OTEC members — kindergarten to 8th grade — can take part in the 2020 Kids Electrical Safety Artwork Contest, with their parents’ or guardians’ permission.

There are three separate contest categories, each broken up by age group.

Kids in kindergarten to third grade can select one of three coloring pages available on OTEC’s website at otec.coop/kids-electrical-safety-artwork-contest.

Fourth and fifth graders can either select one of the coloring pages on the website or create an original poster using any of the 2020 OTEC safety themes, which can also be found on OTEC’s website.

Children in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, using one of OTEC’s 2020 safety themes, can choose to create an original poster, write a poem on the importance of electrical safety, make a short video, or write a short play script that teaches the importance of electrical safety.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each age group, including a $100 gift certificate for first-place winners. All winners will also be invited to OTEC’s annual meeting in Baker City on May 30 to receive their award.

“Prevention and awareness are keys to being safe, because they may mean the difference between life and death when it comes to electricity,” Sandra Ghormley, director of member services at OTEC, said. “Knowing how to be safe around power lines and learning how to use electricity safely are topics that never get stale.”

For more information, specific rules, criteria, and to download artwork for the contest, please visit www.otec.coop/kids-electrical-safety-artwork-contest.