7 electricity safety tips for parents and children

Electricity is a normal part of everyday life and it's easy to forget how dangerous it can be.

Hundreds of people are injured or even killed by electricity each year. That's why dealing with even small electrical problems sooner rather than later is preferable.

According to Carel Ferreira from Electricians Johannesburg, electrical safety is of paramount importance to parents. He says kids are naturally curious and don't always know how dangerous electricity can be, or what to do to keep safe.

Carel shares top 7 tips to help keep your kids safe around electricity: 

1. Cover electrical outlets 

Kids just can't seem to resist electrical outlets. The temptation to stick their fingers, a key or a fork tine into the socket puts them at real risk of electric shock.

Protect your children by buying outlet covers. These covers are cheap and easy to use – simply push them into the socket the same way you would a plug. They're too close fitting for little hands to remove, but you'll be able to pull them out easily when you need to use the socket. 

2. Make it difficult to pull out cords 

Children are naturally curious about anything and everything, including electrical cords. It only takes a moment for a little one to grab a cord and pull it out, exposing the socket. 

To prevent this, think carefully about where your outlets for your TV, stereo, games system and so on are located. Could you rearrange the furniture a little so that outlets in use are harder to get to? 

You can also buy a cord-hiding device to keep cords away from little fingers. 

3. Store appliances out of reach 

Take care to keep electrical appliances out of reach. Most smaller and more portable devices can be hidden away until needed. 

Stash your DVD player or game system and the cord on a shelf out of kiddie range. Keep bathroom and kitchen appliances such as hair dryers, electric razors, blenders and toasters in high cupboards until needed. 

4. Keep appliances stable 

Storing appliances out of reach isn't always practical. For those appliances you can't stash away, such as your TV or lamps, it's a good idea to make sure they're stable. Children can easily pull or knock items over, which puts them at risk.

Check the electrical appliances that you'll be using around your kids, and make sure they can't easily be pulled or pushed over.

5. Be aware of trailing cords   

If you look around your home, you might find several appliances with trailing cords. A child can easily trip over a trailing cord and hurt themselves, or grab the cord and pull the plug out. 

You can quickly and easily shorten cords. All you need to do is wrap the excess around your palm, then hold the gathered cord and secure it with a tie or duct tape. 

You can also run cords round door frames or bury them under carpets to keep them from trailing. 

6. Be aware of potential danger

Keep your eye out for potential electrical hazards in your home. You should always be wary of…

- Frayed or damaged power cords

- Sockets that buzz when you plug something into them

- Flickering lights

- Sockets that work sometimes but not always

- Sparks or a burning smell from any socket

- Plugs that don't fit flush in the socket 

If you see any signs of electrical problems, give a qualified local electrician a call. After all, when it comes to your children, your safety and your home, it's always better to stay safe than sorry. 

7. Educate your kids 

As soon as your kids are old enough to understand simple instructions, talk to them about electrical safety. There are lots of resources online to help children learn about electricity.

Teach your kids the basics about not touching sockets, how to plug and unplug things, and when it's okay to use an appliance, or when it's better to ask a grown-up for help. Children love to learn about new things, so make it fun and help them stay safe. 

It's easy to keep your kids safe from electricity around the home. Just stay vigilant and take a moment to look at your outlets, appliances and cords, and think about how you can make electricity safer for the little people in your life. 

Article courtesy of Property24