Congratulations! You’ve found out that you’re expecting or you have just welcomed a new little one into the world. Pretty soon they will be off exploring your house, looking for different things that they can play with and eat. Baby proofing your home against the risk of electric shock should, therefore, be one of the first things on your home improvement checklist. Death by electrocution continues to be a growing concern and issue amongst children, which is why London Electricians have reviewed how and why you should be baby proofing your home against the risk of electric shock.
Causes of Electric Shock
Damaged wires – over time and with regular use your appliances and their components will naturally experience wear and tear. All it takes is for your baby, toddler or child to touch an exposed wire and a current will go shooting through their body.
Loose cables – babies, as many parents quickly come to learn, tend to put anything and everything in their mouths, especially when they begin to teethe. A trailing cable can be a very appealing item for your little one to chew and all it takes is one sharp bite through the thin plastic cover to reach the wire inside.
Plug socket covers – plastic socket covers are sold as a preventative measure against electrocution, but they actually pose a serious risk to the safety of your little ones. Not made to fit perfectly, they can cause overheating, damage the internal components, and even make it possible for your children to poke objects inside the socket.
Baby Proofing Your Home against the Risk of Electric Shock – Prevention
Though it may come as a surprise to many parents, UK plug sockets don’t actually pose a threat to the safety of inquisitive little fingers. British plug sockets have been carefully designed and manufactured to meet very specific safety standards and requirements, including a special shutter mechanism feature, all of which prevent a child from accessing the live component of the socket. Consequently, plastic sockets covers – as mentioned above – can be dangerous and, therefore, will not help in baby proofing your home against the risk of electric shock.
There are, however, many other steps that you can take to try and ensure that your children stay safe around electricity. It goes without saying that you should try and keep an eye on your little ones as much as possible; all it takes is a moment when your concentration lapses and you could soon find your baby chewing on a cord. It is recommended that you regularly go through your property and check for any damaged cables and loose wires that need to be repaired or replaced.
Maintain good cable management by using trunking to run and hide any cables along your skirting boards or walls and thereby prevent access to the cables from any level. Ensure that your electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use and moved away from the edge of counters or table tops – trailing or dangling leads can be a tempting prospect for your little ones. Another precaution to consider when baby proofing your home against the risk of electric shock is the use of a residual current device (RCD), designed to cut off a circuit when an unbalance in the current is detected.
Baby Proofing Your Home against the Risk of Electric Shock – Education
Perhaps one of the most beneficial and important things you can do for your children is to educate them from an early age about the dangers of electricity. By instilling common sense and precaution from the very beginning, you can help to limit the possibility of electrocution and prevent any accidents or fatal injuries from occurring. Furthermore, educate yourself further on electrical safety in the home and workplace and learn how to recognise the tell-tale signs that you need to consult with a professional.
If you are ever concerned about the electrical safety of your property, don’t hesitate to contact London Electricians immediately. Our friendly team of local electricians are highly experienced and offer emergency call outs as well as routine electrical testing and repairs. Get in touch with us now by calling on 020 8728 9179 or by filling out our quick and easy query form.
