Fear Factor: Electricity Is No Game

The Canadian Electricity Association expressed serious concerns regarding the scheduled airing of “Fear Factor” on January 31, 2005 on Global Television, which will feature, according to the “Sneak Preview” on the NBC Website, a stunt in which participants stand at a high-voltage electrical substation and receive “minor” nuisance shocks.

“It is important for viewers to know that there is no such thing as a “nuisance shock," warned Hans Konow, CEA President and CEO. “Tonight’s broadcast will blur the line between fantasy and reality in ways that could have disastrous consequences, including perhaps even the electrocution of unsuspecting “Fear Factor” fans.”

In the real world, a substation is a crucial part of the electricity infrastructure containing lethal currents of electricity; it is not a prop or backdrop for a reality TV show. Based on the “sneak preview”, we are very concerned the segment may cause viewers to fail to appreciate the seriousness and potential lethal danger of electric power facilities.

“My concern was with the unspoken parts of the show,” said Dennis Rasmusson, AltaLink’s Director of Environmental Health and Safety. “The program implies that ‘nuisance’ voltage isn’t dangerous. But had the wires been connected the way the camera work suggested, it would have been a lethal situation. The show is sending the wrong message to children and other uninformed viewers.”

The electricity industry has long championed the importance of public safety, and each of CEA’s member companies is deeply committed to informing the public about the lethal danger of electric current. Unfortunately, tonight’s segment on “Fear Factor” may encourage an unsuspecting child or young adult to attempt a copycat prank. While the show’s producers provide a disclaimer and make some effort to warn viewers not to emulate stunts on the show, the segment will likely nonetheless convey the message that an electrical shock is nothing more than a harmless annoyance.

For these reasons, CEA is requesting Global Television not air or edit this particular segment of tonight’s broadcast. At a minimum, we are asking Global Television to help mitigate the program’s deadly message by significantly reinforcing the standard warning before the segment airs.

Founded in 1891, CEA is the national association of the Canadian electricity industry. Its members ensure reliable electricity service to Canadians from coast to coast.