Your entire world is your baby and there are no words to describe that joy you felt when you saw them taking their first steps, or that feeling when they cuddle with you and fall asleep. Your motherly instincts make you want to be extremely careful about everything having to do with your little one. Just as the diet plays an important role in your baby’s health, so does safety.
Your baby has probably started walking, so it is time to reinforce safety around your home and make it safe for your baby. There are some tips to teach your kid about electrical safety that are very important to prevent any serious injuries.
Dangers Of Electricity For Children
It is in children’s nature to be curious and they don’t know about how dangerous electricity can be. Teaching them the basics of how electricity works and its hazards can keep them safe from getting shocked. For starters, even if you tell them some caution tips, you need to also make them understand the following basics:
- Electricity causes shocks
- Appliances and power cords are just as dangerous as electrical power lines
- Electricity is able to pass through water, therefore it can pass through your body given that it contains 70% water.
- Electricity tends to search for the easiest path to the ground.
Electrical Safety Tips For Children
All children no matter what age they are have to be aware of the dangers of electricity. You should give them some tips on what they should avoid.
At Home
- Make sure all of the cords and electrical wires are located away from any source of heat.
- Any appliance should be turned off before leaving it as it is when a child is around.
- Unplug appliances before cleaning them.
- Children tend to plug small objects into sockets. Keep them out of reach of children.
- Open sockets within a kid’s reach need to be covered. Kids tend to stick their fingers into them.
- Any unused wall outlets should be removed.
- If you have any unused cord holders or plug holes, place some tape over them.
- Keep gadgets and electrical appliances away from children.
- Never place any appliances near a sink or bathtub.
In The Outdoors
- Don’t let your children near any power lines.
- Make sure your kids are not climbing any trees that may be close to power lines. Power lines can conduct electricity through the tree’s branches.
- Helium-filled balloons and strings of flying kites can act as electrical conductors. Be careful when your kids play with kites during a storm or anywhere near electric cables.
- Fences may also pass electricity. Watch out when your kids play near them during a storm.
- Open areas where there are no power lines are encouraged for playtime.
- Always use a residual current device when working with any electrical equipment in the garden like a lawnmower.
- Make sure your kids stay away from transformers and substations.
- Avoid using electronics near a swimming pool.
Electrical Safety Rules For Children
On top of the tips above, here some more to make sure your kid is safe inside your home, even if they’re not in the same room as you.
- Turn off any electrical appliances when you’re not using them. Don’t let big appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, or dishwashers on if you’re not using them.
- Keep every appliance’s cords away from your kid’s reach.
- Avoid having appliances like a phone or hair dryer plugged and/or on while you’re not in the same room as your kids. Kids tend to put things like these in their mouths.
- Keep drinks away from any electronic appliance, such as computers, TVs, speakers, etc.
- If your kid takes a bath, make sure they are completely dry before they start running around the house.
- Don’t clog several electrical lines in one extension cord. Overloading them can be dangerous too.
- When you unplug something, don’t pull the cord. Hold the plug to avoid damaging it.
- Regularly check your electrical cords for any sign of cracking or fraying.
- Avoid pinching cords under furniture, doors, or windows.
There are so many things you can do to childproof your home and keep your kids away from any electrical hazard. However, sometimes it is just best to let a professional certified electrician childproof your home against electrical hazards for you. They know best when it comes to electrical safety and they might even see risks you were not even aware of.
