As children roam freely in your house, they can get into things they shouldn't. The worse case is when they find a faulty electrical device and get injured. In fact, an estimated 2,400 children sustain electrical injuries each year. So, childproofing your home against electrical hazards isn't a task you should ignore.
Here is a three-step guide to getting you started.
Secure Electrical Appliances
Most injuries occur when kids come across unsecured power tools and appliances. Sometimes, a defective device may lie around unattended and injure your child. As a safety measure, inspect your appliances regularly to ensure they are all safe and functional.
Also, ensure your kitchen appliances and lamps in your home have no frayed cords or signs of deterioration. Always dispose of damaged or frayed electrical cords immediately to avoid disastrous results in your home. Also, keep the cords from the pathways because children can trip over them. They might even try to chew on them, so don't leave the cords exposed.
Cover Your Outlets, and Use GFCIs
Curios kids can try to stick objects or their fingers in the outlets they can easily access. Luckily, outlet childproofing is a breeze. You can install safety or outlet caps on all unused electrical outlets in your house. This way, your children will not insert random objects or their little fingers into the outlets, which may cause the electricity to flow through their bodies.
For superior protection, install GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) for all outlets inside your home. A GFCI is an electrical safety device that protects against electrocution by breaking the electric flow in case of low voltage or an upsurge. These devices are extremely sensitive and shut off power flow even when a minor issue occurs.
Cover Power Strips
If you use a power strip to power multiple electrical devices (like the TV area or office), you should do more than just secure your outlets. Power strips also need childproofing to protect your kids against electrocution and burns.
You can install power strip covers on all power bars that your children can reach. These covers have holes through which electrical cords pass through. So, your children will not pull the cords or tamper with the wires. However, with regular use, the holes on the power strip covers can develop gaps. Just use duct tape to cover those gaps so that children don't put their fingers inside.
These childproofing tips make your home safe for your children. To cover all bases, hire a professional electrician to childproof your home. The electrician will also fix any electrical issues that compromise your home's safety.