Baby proofing your home is an essential part of your child’s safety. Children are very curious individuals; so ensuring that your electrical outlets and appliances are hidden, covered or out of reach is just as important as anchoring large furniture to the walls. A study revealed that the most common injuries and causes of death for children below 18 are avoidable if the home is electrically safe.
Here are a few tips for babyproofing your home to make it electrically safe:
- Block electrical outlets. Cover your electrical outlets. You can either use outlet caps, outlet plugs or electrical covers. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 2400 children had burns and shocks caused by electrical outlets, with 12 deaths from sustained injuries.
- Electrical Outlet Caps. These are the cheapest tools to prevent your child from sticking his finger or objects into electrical outlets. They are made of plastic, flat and easily plug directly into the outlet, so your child will not be able to take it out. The only disadvantage is you need to remove them each time you’ll use the electrical outlet. It is necessary to plug it back to keep your home electrical safe.
- Electrical Outlet Covers. Also known as safe plates, these covers are good babyproofing electrical safety option, too. To use them, unscrew the cover on your outlets and replace them with these safe plates. They have spring-loaded covers that are fairly like the TRRs, allowing them to accommodate the prongs of a plug and move once you remove the plug. They are easy to install without tinkering any electrical wires.
- Unplug Appliances. Unplug and store appliances that are not in use. Start with the bathroom. Unplug the hair dryer, curling iron, electric razors, etc. Minimize the probability of an appliance falling into water and causing injury by installing ground-fault circuit interrupters.
- Hide Electrical Cords. www.healthofchildren.com reported that over 63% of injuries in children 12 years and under are caused by household electrical cords, electrical outlets and extension cords. The market offers several cable management products to keep electrical cords bundled, hidden, and controlled to prevent them from getting mixed up or entangled. Organize your cords by using a combination of wraps, covers, ties, and sleeves.
- Educate your Family. Set a good example to emphasize electrical safety. Make sure that your toddler understands not to touch and stick anything like pens, forks, fingers into the electrical outlets. Be very strict in implementing the rules of electrical safety in your home.
Electrical items play an important role in our daily lives. They are present in every room of your home. Babyproofing your home is the easiest way to ensure that your home is electrically safe for your children.