Youth Energy Safety

Teaching Pipeline Safety

The Youth Energy Safety (YES) program provides kids and educators with age-appropriate information about how to stay safe around underground energy infrastructure.

Staying safe around energy and pipeline infrastructure is a lesson that can start early—and last a lifetime. There’s a lot happening underground that connects you to the internet, energy, clean water and other utilities you rely on every day—but if damaged, they can pose serious safety risks.

We all play a role in keeping ourselves, our families and our communities safe. That’s why the YES program introduces pipeline safety education to children at an age when curiosity and awareness are growing.

Meet Pipeline Pat

Designed for children in Grade 3-5, the YES video introduces Pipeline Pat, an interactive, age-appropriate way to learn valuable safety information. Children learn how to stay safe around underground infrastructure at home, at school and in their communities—while encouraging families to join the conversation.

Through a short video journey from a field location to home, Pat shares key pipeline safety messages, helping children connect what’s happening underground to their everyday lives.

Along the way, students learn:

What a right-of-way is and why it needs to stay clear
How to spot pipeline markers
Why calling your one-call system before digging is important
What those colourful utility flags mean
How to recognize signs of a natural gas leak

How to Participate

Whether you're a teacher, organization leader or community volunteer, follow these steps to deliver the YES video.

Identify a coordinator within your organization
Choose a date to deliver the YES video
Review the Program Guide to prepare for the lesson
Download and print
- In-class activity sheet(s)
- The parent letter/take-home activity sheet
Deliver the lesson
- Show the educational video
- Lead discussions using the prompts provided in the program guide
Confirm completion by submitting the form linked below.

Submit now

Note: Organizations located within TC Energy’s operational areas in Canada and the U.S. are eligible to receive journals at no cost. Plan ahead to ensure materials are available when delivering the YES program.

Request journals

Resources

Below you will find the educational video of Pipeline Pat, program guide and activity sheets.

Pipeline Pat Video - U.S.

Pipeline Pat Video - Canada

Download Program Guide

Download Activity Sheets

FAQs

Is there a cost to participate?

No. The YES Program is offered at no cost.

Do I need to confirm my participation with TC Energy?

Yes. We kindly ask all participants to confirm completion by submitting the form below.

Submit now

What support do the program facilitators receive?

All resources are available online at no cost. Should you need additional support, contact us!

Who is eligible to receive the free giveaways?

Organizations located within TC Energy’s operational areas in Canada and the U.S. are eligible to receive YES journals at no cost.

Request journals

Do I need to send the parent letter/take-home activity after presenting the YES Program?

Yes. We kindly request that the parent letter/take-home activity be sent home to reinforce pipeline safety as a shared responsibility.

Pipeline Pat’s Adventures

Pipeline Pat's Adventures is an interactive educational activity designed for kids and families, helping build awareness of underground safety in the communities where they live.

Participants take Pipeline Pat on everyday adventures to places where digging projects could take place, such as backyards, gardens, parks, playgrounds and sidewalks, and learn why it's important to know what's underground before digging.

Before participating, watch the Pipeline Pat video to learn key pipeline safety messages, including why contacting your local one-call centre before digging helps protect people, property and underground infrastructure.

By taking Pipeline Pat on adventures, sharing photos and safety reflections, participants help raise awareness that underground infrastructure can be found in many everyday locations. They also learn the importance of contacting their local one-call centre (811 in the U.S. and clickbeforeyoudig.com in Canada) before starting any digging project.

How to Participate

Participating is simple and engaging:

Print or Colour Pipeline Pat
Download and print Pipeline Pat. Students can colour and personalize their character.
Take Pipeline Pat on an Adventure
Take Pipeline Pat to places where digging could take place, such as:

A backyard or garden
Near a fence, mailbox or sidewalk
At a park or playground

Take a Photo & Share Pipeline Safety

Snap a photo of Pipeline Pat at the location.
Ask and answer this important question: Why would someone need to call their one-call system before digging here?
Submit your photo and safety share.

Please ensure photos feature Pipeline Pat only and do not include any people.

Explore Pipeline Pat’s Adventures

See where Pipeline Pat has traveled! From gardens and playgrounds to sidewalks and mailboxes, these adventures show how pipeline safety applies everywhere.