Electricity and the creation of electrical appliances changed society forever. From food refrigeration to street lighting, communication and transport, electricity benefits us in countless ways. Arguably, our homes have benefitted the most from electricity. It has vastly improved our quality of life and removed many of the obstacles we faced historically.
Making use of electricity does not come without its challenges. It can be dangerous and even deadly. Electrical safety in the home is important: particularly if you have children. This article is going to offer guidance on electrical safety and how you can childproof your electrical appliances.
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The Dangers Of Electricity At Home
We are fantastic conductors. Our cells contain certain ions which conduct electricity. Additionally, 70% of our body’s makeup is water. This means we have to tread carefully around electrical appliances, and be aware of the dangers of electricity. Our homes are full of electrical appliances. Thus, we have to be cautious.
We are susceptible to electrical accidents if we are not careful. Electrical accidents can be divided into three distinct categories. These are shocks, burns and fires. As adults we are able, for the most part, to sidestep electrical accidents and keep ourselves safe. Electrical safety for kids is less understood. For this reason, children are a higher risk and need to be watched more carefully. Small electric shocks, although uncomfortable, are fairly common. On the other hand, a real electric shock is a lot more serious. They can cause internal organ damage, severe burns, your muscles to tighten up so you can’t pull away and, in some cases, death. Educating children on electrical safety in the home is of the utmost importance.
Electrical Safety In The Home: Top Tips For Children
As children grow, so does their curiosity. Often this curiosity has no bounds. Smaller children can be unaware of the dangers of electricity. It is important that if you do have kids, you try to educate them on electrical safety in the home as soon as possible. This will be the most effective strategy for combating electrical accidents. Electrical accidents can be extremely nasty. If exposure is acute, it can be fatal. Although this sounds dramatic, it is important to understand the dangers of electricity at home. Our job is to ensure you never experience an electrical accident. Some of our top tips that should be communicated to children include:
Keep Electrical Appliances Away from Water
Water is never far away from electrical appliances at home. Keeping the two firmly separated is the best way to avoid accidents.
- When using something that uses electricity, ask an adult
- Keep any/ all metal objects out of electrical appliances (i.e. cutlery in a toaster)
- Never put your fingers into a plug socket
- If a wire is broken, avoid touching it and tell an adult
When not using an appliance, turn off the plug and do not remove it by pulling the cord – this can damage the cord which could later lead to accidents.
Electrical Safety For Kids
There are a few practical steps you can follow to ensure your home is safe. These childproofing tips can help you avoid potential accidents.
- Wall outlets can be appealing to curious young children. Their small hands are able to fit into the outlet’s gaps easier also. To avoid an accident, you can buy inserts for your outlets that block access. Alternatively, consider arranging furniture to make access to outlets and plugs harder for your children.
- Bathrooms are a high risk area because of the availability of water. When the bathroom is not in use, turn off appliances and store them in high places.
- Regularly check appliance cords and outlets. If you see any signs of wear, you are best to call a professional. For those based in Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire), Paradigm are experienced electrical contractors that offer a range of services. They will help ensure your home’s electronics are safe with expert safety checks.
Electrical Safety In The Home: Navigating Accidents
Electrical safety for kids and adults alike can be difficult. If you ever come face to face with an electrical accident, there are a few things to remember. This will keep you safe and ensure the victim suffers as little as possible. Firstly, do not touch the casualty. They may still be in contact with the electrical source and you could electrocute yourself. Breaking the contact between the electrical supply and the victim is important. If you can, turn off the source of electricity. You must always call the emergency services and explain the situation. Additionally, the person should always be taken to hospital or to see a doctor. Injuries can be internal and thus hard to see. In the case of electrical accidents, you are best to err on the side of caution.