Protecting Your Electrical Outlets from Children

Electricity is almost among the essential aspects of our lives in these modern times. We are unaware of it, and yet we use it every second, some of us even more frequently. However, the most important and unsettling truth is the fact that electrical currents can be frightening. There are a lot of incidents that involve electrical fires and shocks every year. If you include children into the mix, the situation can become scary.

Why Childproofing Outlets are Important?

It's an established fact that children are very interested. From the moment they're born through the teen years, children learn and develop at a rapid pace because of their inherent curiosity. This is the reason why the teaching of safety is a crucial matter and must be dealt with thoroughly for children of all ages.

However, an incident that involves an outlet can be as traumatic, like for instance having to deal with a cranky cat. It's not a good idea to let your children learn through example in this case! That's why securing your home and outlets from children as well as taking measures to safeguard your family is vital.

How can I make sure my child is protected from outlets?

It's the first thing to do, lower yourself within your home. Your child or toddler is seeing a completely different world from you, and it's hard to comprehend the risks they face at the height of an adult! Make note of the outlets available (and while you're there, it's recommended to look around for hazards that could cause tripping or choking also) and figure out the most effective way to eliminate the risk.

• Make sure you're using tamper-resistant outlet. They're not only an NEC code requirement from 2014, but they also offer a layer of protection against the use of inappropriate devices by children. They are referred to as a layer since they are very helpful; however, you should count on other defenses too. They're not secure against tampering. Make sure you get them installed by a qualified professional! They're not difficult to install; however, if mistakes are made, they will not be as safe and could be a hassle on the feet to use.

• Make sure to use outlets with covers (shutters are ideal). Even those tiny plug covers made of plastic are good; however, the problem is that the majority of parents don't remember to insert them after using, and when they're in the open, they pose a choking risk. If you want the most secure solution, consider shutter-style covers that can be directly inserted inside the outlet. They're durable and extremely effective in keeping your kids safe and safe from dangerous outlet accidents.