Belco is advising the public to take care when flying kites over the Easter weekend.

The electricity provider said that kites frequently get tangled in power lines, causing not only blackouts, but also potentially hazardous situations.

Shelly Leman, Belco’s managing director of transmission, distribution and retail, said: “When most people think of kite flying, they might think of the tradition of making a paper kite and a fun activity.

“What might not be immediately at the forefront of their minds is safety. It might surprise people to learn that flying kites can be dangerous if they don’t follow proper precautions.”

Ms Leman said: “If a kite string or tail becomes tangled in a power line, it poses a risk for the person flying the kite and anyone who attempts to remove it.

“The best means of avoiding this hazardous situation is to fly your kite far away from power lines.

“If your kite does somehow become caught in a power line, it is vitally important that you do not try to remove it yourself. Call 955 and Belco will remove the kite safely.”