As a parent, you want to keep your child safe at all times. Home electrical wiring poses great danger to curious little ones, but you can take precautions to prevent a tragedy from occurring. Follow the advice below to keep your child safe from electrical accidents.

3 Tips for Baby-Proofing Your Home Electrical System

1. Protect Your Outlets

Each year, about 2,400 children receive serious shocks or burns from poking foreign objects into electrical outlets. The simplest and most inexpensive way to prevent this is to plug empty wall outlets and power strip outlets with plastic electrical safety caps. If you’re worried you might forget to plug the cap back in after using the outlet, consider plastic safe plates instead. These electrical outlet covers are spring-loaded so they automatically slide back over the outlet holes when you remove the power cord.

If your home was built or renovated after 2008, it likely has special tamper-resistant outlets required by the National Electrical Code. If not, a residential electrician can install these for you.

2. Guard Your Plugs

While empty outlets pose the biggest threat to your child’s safety, even an outlet that’s in use can become a hazard if your child unplugs the power cord. Arrange your furniture to cover outlets so little hands can’t get to them. If rearranging your home isn’t practical, purchase special covers that enclose your outlets and power strips to let cords hang out while containing plugs.

3. Remove Extension Cords

For families with tiny tots just learning to crawl or walk, avoid using extension cords. As your baby begins to explore, an extension cord on the floor may look like something to chew on. For toddlers who are still shaky on their feet, extension cords can create a trip hazard. If your home doesn’t have enough outlets, hire a licensed electrician to install more to eliminate the need for extension cords.

 

If you need assistance making your home electrical wiring safe for your kids, rely on Always On Electric. Based in Hilo, HI, they proudly serve homes and businesses on the Big Island. They offer 24-hour emergency service, so their experienced electrical contractors are always ready to help. Call (808) 965-1596 to schedule an appointment for a home electrical wiring inspection, or visit their website to learn more about their services.