Childproof your home: Electrical safety tips
As a parent or guardian, ensuring the safety of children at home is a top priority.
While securing cabinets, sharp edges, and staircases is common, the electrical system is often overlooked.
Electrical hazards, however, can pose significant dangers to children. To keep your home safe, consider these essential tips. For added peace of mind, consult an emergency electrician in Melbourne to ensure your system is up to standard.
Identifying potential electrical hazards in your home
Identifying electrical hazards is essential in keeping your home safe for little ones.
Start by looking around each room, especially where your child spends the most time – bedrooms, playrooms, and living areas.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
Exposed outlets
Electrical outlets are a common danger for kids, as their fingers can easily fit into the slots, leading to shocks and injuries. Most outlets are located at floor level, making them easily accessible to curious little ones.
A simple solution is installing outlet covers such as plastic plugs, sliding plate covers, or box covers, which are affordable and easy to use.
Frayed cords
Electrical cords can be dangerous for children, as they can be pulled, chewed, or tangled, risking shocks or strangulation.
Tuck cords away, use cord shorteners, and secure them behind furniture or with cord covers. Regularly check cords for wear and replace damaged ones to prevent shocks and fires.
Overloaded power boards
Power boards and surge protectors can be risky for kids, especially if placed on the floor within reach. Overloading power boards can lead to overheating, which increases the risk of short circuits, potentially causing fires or electrical shocks.
Use boards with built-in safety covers or purchase covers that enclose the entire board.
If you’re unsure whether everything is up to standard, it’s always a good idea to call in a professional electrician. They can give your home a quick safety check and suggest any necessary upgrades.
Avoid common childproofing mistakes
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to overlook key details when childproofing your home. Small errors can lead to big safety risks, especially electrical hazards.
To keep your children safe, it’s important to be aware of and avoid these common childproofing mistakes:
- Using power outlet covers that are easy to remove
- Overloading power boards
- Leaving cords exposed
- Placing power boards within reach
- Ignoring damaged cords
- Skipping GFCI outlets in wet areas
- Using unsafe safety gates
- Failing to secure heavy furniture or appliances
- Relying only on outlet covers
- Not doing regular safety checks
Creating a safe environment in each room
Every room in your home presents its own unique set of electrical challenges, and it’s essential to address these on a room-by-room basis.
Living room
The living room often contains multiple electronics, from TVs to gaming consoles.
Ensure that all outlets are covered and that cords are properly managed. Consider mounting the TV on the wall to keep it out of reach and secure any heavy electronics that could be pulled down.
Kitchen
Many kitchen appliances can pose a risk to children. Unplug and store small appliances away when not in use, and cover exposed outlets.
Be mindful of faulty appliances and cords from larger devices, like mixers and blenders, which should be kept out of reach.
Bathroom
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, so bathroom safety is a priority.
Ensure outlets are fitted with GFCIs to protect against electrical shock. Be cautious of wet outlets, store hair dryers, electric razors, and other devices out of reach, and unplug them after use.
Bedrooms
In children’s bedrooms, nightlights and other plugged-in devices should be secured with outlet covers. Keep cords and chargers out of reach, and avoid using extension cords, which can be a tripping hazard.
Playroom
The playroom should be a safe space for children to explore and learn. Ensure that all outlets are covered and that there are no exposed cords.
Battery-operated toys are a safer alternative to those that require plugging in. Be sure the batteries are securely fitted and not easily removable, as loose batteries can pose a choking hazard or lead to accidental ingestion by children.
Electrical safety can be even more critical for older homes, as outdated wiring or systems may pose additional risks. Learn more about electrical safety tips for older homes to ensure every room is properly equipped for your family’s safety.
What to do in case of a child’s electrocution emergency
Even with childproofing, accidents can still happen. Knowing how to act quickly during an electrical emergency is essential.
If your child comes into contact with electricity, immediately disconnect the power if it’s safe to do so.
Unplug the device or turn off the circuit breaker.
Never touch your child if they’re still connected to the electrical source; you could also be shocked.
Once the power is off, check your child’s condition. If they’re unconscious or have severe burns, call emergency services right away. If they are conscious, keep an eye on them and seek medical attention to rule out internal injuries.
Need help childproofing your home? Contact Briggs Electrical today!
For expert assistance with childproofing your home’s electrical system, contact Briggs Electrical & Data Solutions, a trusted electrician in Melbourne.
Call us at 1300 300 222 or lodge a job to ensure your home is safe for your little ones.
