Tricks to Keep Children Away From Electrical Outlets
Knowing tricks to keep children away from electrical outlets is essential because every parent wants to provide their child with the best possible safety conditions at home. In this way, we’ll avoid dangerous accidents.
According to statistics, accidents due to burns or electric shocks rank fourth in the range of dangerous incidents in the home. For this reason, it’s crucial that we know how to protect curious little ones from suffering any mishap with electrical outlets.
Tricks to keep children away from electrical outlets
Plugs and sockets or outlets are devices that allow the passage of electricity. The plug refers to the end of cables, such as telephone chargers, for example. Outlets or sockets are located in the wall and to which the cable plugs are connected to receive electricity.
Both devices are very attractive to young children. The outlet is perhaps the one that sparks the most curiosity in children. They often try to insert little fingers through its openings. Fortunately, there are several safety measures to prevent accidents at home linked to electrical outlets. Here are the most common measures:
Preventing accidents involving plugs
As we’ve already mentioned, plugs are connected to electrical appliances by means of a cable. The safety measures with these types of plugs are the following:
- Never leave electrical chargers within the reach of children; likewise, never leave any other electrical appliance cable within the reach of children.
- Electrical appliances should, as much as possible, be plugged into sockets that aren’t at ground level or at a height that a child can reach.
- Never leave your phone charger plugged into the outlet. Children often put objects in their mouths; if they insert a charger that’s plugged into the socket, they could be electrocuted.
- Prevent children from making visual contact with cords. This way, you’ll avoid arousing their curiosity and interest in touching them.
“Accidents due to burns or electric shock rank fourth in the range of dangerous incidents in the home.”
Preventing accidents with electric sockets
Sockets are attached to walls. They’re very dangerous for children, as they tend to try to stick their fingers or their toys through these holes.
The solution to achieving safety in your home and distracting your child is to buy socket protectors. In addition, you should also cover all sockets that are close to the floor or at heights that children can reach.
You can buy socket protectors at hardware stores; there are different types and a wide range of prices. Ideally, try to get the ones that have the same color as the outlets you have at home; this way, they’ll go unnoticed by your children. Don’t forget that, when you remove them to plug in an appliance, you should store them well. That way, you’ll prevent your child from getting to it and putting it in their mouth. At the same time, you’ll know where to find it the next time you need it.
Preventing accidents with electrical outlets when we’re away from home
We already know how easy it is to prevent accidents with sockets at home. However, what can we do when we’re traveling? A very effective solution is to carry masking tape or painter’s tape with us to cover the plugs in the spaces where your family will be staying.
The choice of masking tape is the most convenient. This is thanks to its color and texture. It’s made of paper, so it goes unnoticed by children. In case, for some reason, you don’t have adhesive tape, ask the hotel where you’re staying to give you several good band-aids. These also serve to cover sockets and, due to their high adhesive capacity, it’ll be more difficult for children to remove them.
Keeping children away from sockets: be vigilant
As you can see, taking minimum safety measures can be very easy. This way, you’ll be able to avoid scares or tense moments with your children because of your imprudence and their curiosity. Don’t wait any longer. Apply these simple tricks and breathe easier.
This is the only way to ensure that your children are protected from electrical outlets. And remember, even if you have all the necessary protection in your home, you’ll still need to keep your eyes on your little ones at all times. Children, especially young children, love to explore.
They may touch plug covers with their little hands thinking that they’re a toy. Or you may think that nothing will happen because there’s protection. However, if they manage to remove it, this creates serious problems and great danger. Therefore, remember to always be aware of your children, even if your electrical outlets already have protection.
