4 Ways to Prevent Your Child from Getting Electrical Shocks
When you have small kids at home, you have to be extra careful with everything to ensure their safety, including all your electrical wires, units and appliances because you don't want your kids to get shocked or electrocuted. Certain preventive steps will help preserve the safety of your children. Work with your electrical contractors to follow these strategies for preventing your child from getting an electrical shock.
Close Every Plug Outlet with Covers
You should ideally close every electrical plug outlet with a cover. While an electrical socket is usually designed to prevent shocks, children tend to curiously poke their fingers through the holes when the plugs are switched on. This direct contact could prove to be fatal.
You can get your electrician to install tamper-proof covers to prevent your child from sticking their fingers into the plug outlet. Ideally, you'll want the plug outlets to be out of your child's reach, but if that's not possible, this preventive measure will protect your child from any danger.
Unplug Appliances When They Are Not in Use
The safest way to prevent shocks is to unplug appliances when they are not in use. This is especially important in areas prone to moisture and dampness, like your bathroom and kitchen. Mixing water with electricity is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.
Make sure that appliances like hair dryers, toasters, electric shavers and other gadgets are unplugged, so that your child cannot get to them. Turning off and unplugging electrical appliances is also prudent to prevent the likelihood of any electrical fire developing in your home.
Keep Electrical Cords Out of Reach
Loose, live wires are extremely dangerous because they carry electricity through them. Make sure that the electrical contractors place all wires safely out of your child's reach. You'll also want the electrical contractors to replace wires that are frayed because they can cause electrical shocks. Make sure that you secure your wires in a manner that your child cannot easily handle them. For example, you could cover wires directed towards your appliances with special cable covers attached to the wall or floor.
Install Circuit Breakers
Get your electrical contractors to install circuit breakers for your bathroom and kitchen electrical outlets. A circuit breaker is designed to shut down electrical supply when the electricity flow is interrupted or if the load is too heavy. They help prevent shocks in damp areas, making them a good idea when you have children scurrying through your home.
Protecting your child is perhaps topmost on your priority list. Work diligently with your electrical contractors to protect your children from electrical shocks.