Becoming a parent means you have a long list of things that you are now responsible for, including your child's safety within the home. Electrical safety should be prioritised considering the repercussions.
Introducing electrical safe practices for your family will give you peace of mind and assurance you're doing everything possible to prevent any electrical accidents in your home. Below we recommend 5 electrical safety tips for all parents to consider.
1. No Exposed Outlets
Babies are very inquisitive creatures and when they start crawling and walking will explore every nook and cranny they can get themselves into. As there is a minimum of two power outlets in every room of the house, keeping the inactive ones covered is the first step in creating a safe environment to explore. You can purchase clear outlet plug-ins to do this that securely covers the open outlets and are difficult for children to remove. This primarily eliminates any potential of your child putting things into the outlet.
2. Be Mindful Of Cords and Powerboards
Having a handful of loose cords and power boards around your home, especially if they are on the floor and easily accessible, is something to be mindful of when child-proofing. Where you can, avoid using a powerboard in main areas unless you can hide this behind large furniture pieces or out of sight. Avoid using extension cords unless absolutely necessary, and if you do have to, consider getting an electrician's advice on relocating your powerpoints.
3. Practise Caution With Electrical Appliances
Household appliances can pose a threat in the wet areas of the home like the bathroom, kitchen, laundry and garden. Avoid electrical emergencies by consciously making an effort to put these appliances, such as hairdryers and toasters, away and out of reach and only using them when the areas are clean and dry.
4. Consider Safer Electrical Alternatives
If you are in an older house or apartment, it may be worthwhile to enlist the help of a qualified electrician to inspect your home for any underlying electrical issues, whether it be upgrading faulty light switches or removing any unnecessary lamps by installing more lights in the home. It is also worth mentioning the need for the smoke alarms in your home to be installed and serviced as per the Australian standards. Annual checks for these areas removes the likeliness of a house fire or other serious electrical emergencies occurring at your property.
5. Educate Them About Being Safe
You will learn early on that kids will follow your every move so modelling safe techniques around the house is the first place to start when educating. You can do this by showing them that you always dry your hands before touching anything electric, explaining to them that you are switching the power off at the wall before taking an appliance out of an outlet, showing them how you remove and insert the plug safely, and making sure they understand that even parents aren’t allowed to be doing anything dangerous with the electrical work.
Taking these precautions limits the amount of stress you'll feel when preparing for your baby's arrival and their safety as they grow. If you do have any concerns about electrical safety in your home, the Ehlerth Electrical team are well-experienced to assist you. Contact us here.
