Top Tips to Make Your Home’s Electricity Safer For Your Children

As we look forward to the blooming of Spring, it is often a time that we think about life, family, and what’s important to us. And if you have children, one of the things that is always important to parents is: your children’s safety.

Kids are naturally energetic and curious. They can get into absolutely everything, especially what you don’t want them to! Because of this, kids can get into danger, and we must be diligent about electrical safety in our homes. Why not take a moment to look around your home and consider the safety of your home’s electrical system.

Look At Your Home’s Wires

If you have any exposed wires (especially if you are doing renovations), or even electrical cords, this is important – look out for frayed wires! Fraying typically happens on either end of the electrical cord and can occur over time or the way in which we use the wires. If they are pinched or bent against the wall by a piece of furniture, a break is likely to happen in the cable and the wires can get damaged. And while a frayed wire may still work, it is dangerous to keep around.

Children can find frayed wires and hurt themselves due to overheating of the wires, the sharpness of the frayed wire itself, or the electrical charge that can run through them if touched with wet or sticky hands (something young kids tend to have). Don’t try to repair a frayed wire. Replace it.

Keep your electrical cords close to the walls. If you have electrical cords running through the middle of rooms or doorways, they are easy for kids to trip over which will cause harm. Keep wires and electrical cords out of well-travelled areas.

Outlets

Check your outlets! Young kids love outlets because they are so mysterious. If you have a lot of outlets within reach of children in your home, make sure they are tamper-resistant receptacles or that the outlets are covered and childproofed.

Tamper resistant receptacles stop objects other than electrical plugs from being inserted. They have been required in some new builds and renovations since 2008. If you have a newer home, you likely have these already. If not, or if you’re unsure, your outlets can be inspected, or new ones can be installed by Handyside.

Outlet protectors can also be purchased and put into your outlets. For them to be effective, you must remember to place them back in the outlet after you have used it.

Lights

Examine your lights! Any bulbs that you use in your kids’ rooms should be LED and produce lower heat, so they are not burning hot to touch. You should make sure that no lights bulbs are touching blankets, curtains, stuffed animals, scattered clothes or books in your kids’ rooms or the rest of the house.

Education

Remember to teach your kids about electrical safety! Instruct them about what they should stay away from, look out for, and why. Yes, having safer outlets is important for right now, but making sure your children are electricity-aware can help them for life.

Summary

During the Spring season, it’s common to think about your family’s health and wellness. Since that’s on your mind, please take a moment to consider how your home’s electrical system can contribute to that with safer cords, safer outlets, safer lights, and the lifetime value of electricity-education.