Electricity has become a common part of life these days for all modern households. What would we do without electricity to power our cell phones, televisions, internet routers, microwaves, refrigerators and hair straighteners? However, electricity can be dangerous, especially for young children and pets who don’t know any better. Here are some tips on how to keep children and pets safe from electrical injury.
1. Make Sure All Outlets Are Grounded
A grounded outlet is an outlet that directs excess electricity into the ground to prevent the electricity from hurting someone using the outlet. Generally speaking, most homes require grounded outlets these days, but that doesn’t mean every home is up to code or subject to the same regulations. You can tell if your outlet is grounded if it has three prongs. If there are ungrounded outlets in your home, you need to get that fixed immediately.
2. Block Off Rooms With a lot of Electrical Items
Some rooms or areas are more dangerous than others when it comes to the risk of electrical shock. Shut the doors to these rooms or use gates to block off these areas in your home. There will also be cords and electronics in family rooms where the kids play. You should keep electronics and cords out of reach of children and pets. It will eliminate problems before they happen if your kids and pets can’t even reach dangerous things.
3. Avoid Water Around Electronics
Most adults know that water and electricity don’t mix. Be careful to keep all liquids away from the electrical outlets and electronics. In rooms with a lot of moisture and water usage, such as the bathroom or kitchen, it’s best to use special GFCI outlets. These outlets shut down when they experience a short (which could be due to moisture), thereby keeping you safe. Simply hit the reset button when you are ready to use the outlet again.
4. Put Covers Over Electrical Outlets
You can buy covers for electrical outlets that prevent children and pets from putting anything in the electrical outlets, like a fork. These covers are plastic items that actually plug into the outlets while nothing is in them. You can take them out whenever you need to plug something into the outlet. You can get single outlet covers or covers for a pair of outlets. These covers can be found at hardware stores, large all-purpose stores and online.
5. Talk to a Professional
Professional electricians at Wingate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can help review your situation and tell you what to do to make your home as safe as possible. With their expertise and knowledge, they can spot things you may not see. They will also have the know-how to get any necessary electrical work done.
6. Be Aware
It’s your responsibility as a parent to young children or pets to always be aware of what your kids and pets are doing at all times. You need to have eyes in the back of your head. It can be easy to lose focus momentarily to make food or do household chores. However, as any parent knows, anything can happen the moment you turn your back for two seconds. If you can’t do it all at by yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
7. Teach Kids About Electrical Safety
You teach your children everything. You teach them how to talk, walk, tie their shoes, spell and to look both ways before crossing the street. You will also need to teach children about electrical safety. Teach them to handle electronics properly as they get older and develop the capacity to do so. Start by leaving them alone with electrical outlets at a certain age. Soon, you can let them plug things in on their own. Eventually, they can set things up safely themselves.
It is important to practice safety measures in homes that have electricity. However, there is only so much you can do to keep your home safe when you have unstable electricity. It’s important to call the professionals when you have a problem. If you do notice a problem, call Wingate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Cincinnati, OH. We can ensure that the electrical wiring in your home is up to date and safe. We can also help with any of your heating and cooling or plumbing issues. Call today to schedule a consultation.
