Guide to Keeping Kids Safe Around Electricity

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Electricity is such a large part of our lives that we sometimes forget how dangerous it can be, especially for kids who don’t understand that it can seriously injure or even kill them. It’s up to the adults in their lives to make sure they know to stay away from potentially dangerous electrical situations and to take steps to prevent those situations from occurring. Your Electrical Expert has provided this guide to keeping kids safe around electricity to get you started.

Inside the Home

The electrical dangers inside the house are many. From electric appliances that heat up and can lead to burns to exposed electrical wires, kids are around numerous hazards every day. To prevent electrical injuries and deaths in your house, do:

  • Turn electrical appliances and devices off before unplugging them
  • Discard electrical appliances and devices that have damaged cords or exposed wires
  • Keep electrical wires out of the way of walking areas
  • Unplug electrical appliances and devices that aren’t in use
  • Keep electrical appliances that heat up away from anything that could catch fire
  • Avoid putting anything metal into the toaster, including forks and tongs
  • Grasp the base of the plug when unplugging electrical cords (i.e. don’t yank the cord out from a distance)

Don’t:

  • Use any electrical devices or appliances near water
  • Allow electrical cords to dangle from counters or tables
  • Place any electrical device on your bed or pillow while it’s charging
  • Use off-brand electronics charging cords that may have been untested or made from faulty parts
  • Stick your finger or any other object into electrical outlets
  • Overload electrical outlets or surge protectors
  • Touch electrical appliances, light switches, or electrical cords with wet hands

Outside the Home

While the risks of electrocution are lower outside the home than in it, there are still electrical dangers lurking around every corner. Plus, you might not always be with your children when they are out of the house, so teaching them to be aware of these potential hazards will help keep them safe when you’re not around. To prevent electrical injuries and deaths outside your home, do:

  • Stay away from overhead power lines when flying kites or drones
  • Stay far away from downed power lines, even if there are no visible sparks
  • Tell an adult if you see an unsafe situation or someone doing something that seems unsafe
  • Stay inside during storms, especially if you hear thunder or see lightning

Don’t:

  • Touch anything electrical if you are wet or standing in water (even a puddle)
  • Play on or near electrical equipment
  • Climb trees that are near overhead power lines
  • Approach storm debris

 

Key Points

Teaching kids about electricity requires adults to be good examples. Your kids won’t take you seriously if you pull a plug by yanking on the cord or if you charge your phone on your bed every day. They are watching you to make sure you walk the walk and talk the talk, so be sure you’re always setting the right example to follow in terms of electrical safety. 

Always explain to your kids why you’re doing something such as making sure your hands are dry before flipping off the light switch. These explanations go much further toward educating children on electricity safety than just reading them a list of dangers. It’s also an excellent idea to have your kids help you change your smoke detector batteries and test your carbon monoxide detectors every six months so you take the opportunity to remind them about the risks of electricity.

 

Child Proofing Your House

Of course, some kids are too young to grasp the safety tips given here. When you have toddlers and babies in the house, be sure to childproof your home to make it safe for them. To prevent electrical accidents:

  • Block outlets with furniture, put plastic inserts into unused outlets, or install safety outlets that prevent anything but a plug from being inserted
  • If you have to use extension cords, hide them behind furniture or use a hide-a-cord device. Place electrical tape over unused openings in the extension cord plug
  • Place all electrical appliances and devices out of reach of the children

Conclusion

As adults, we often take electricity for granted, but children are curious, which can get them into a dangerous spot. Take the time to teach them about electricity safety and for those too young to understand, be sure to make their environment safe for them.

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