Tips for Childproofing Your Home
Ensure the Safety of Your Kids
When you see your kid crawling or walking for the first time, it’s monumental. This is something you simply do not want to miss. But as you’re trying to get a snapshot of this wonderful moment, a thought pops into your head: My child can now go anywhere in this home. You now begin to see your home differently. All of a sudden it feels like a danger zone. The loose wires over there. The dangling electrical cords right here. The numerous empty electrical sockets that appear so inviting to tiny hands. Â Before you panic, though, let us put you at ease! Follow these simple tips for childproofing your home!
1. Outlets
In any given room there is bound to be at least 3 outlets (receptacles). To children, outlets are easy entertainment, which means you’ve got a lot to cover. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 2,400 children suffer from severe shock and burns from sticking their hands into the open slots of electrical receptacles.
If your home was built before 2008, it’s likely to be equipped with regular electrical outlets, which are on the left. Notice that the slots on this type of outlet are open, meaning your child can essentially place anything in there ““ hair pins, nails, screwdriver, whatever they can put their hands on that’s small enough.
All new homes built after 2008 are required to have tamper resistant outlets, also known as TRRs or TRs. So, what’s the difference between regular outlet and tamper resistant outlet? The outlet on the left is a regular receptacle. Notice that the slots are open. This means that your child can attempt to shove practically anything in one of these, whether it be a hair pin, nail, or screwdriver.
On the right is a tamper resistant receptacle. If you look closely, you will see that there is a plastic film over the vertical slots. The only way to push through the slots is by placing something in both slots simultaneously.
If your home is equipped with standard outlets, you’ll want to purchase outlet covers. The first thing you’ll need to do is find out what type of style your outlet is – whether it’s standard or decora.
kyleswitchplates.blogspot.com
Once you’ve deciphered which type of outlet you have, you can begin the search for outlet covers. You have several options to choose from, whether you want caps, plugs, slide covers, covers, etc.
2. Power Strips
A common solution to your “not enough outlets problem,” power strips house multiple outlets to meet your electrical needs. These are usually found in media rooms, living rooms, and near computers.
Power strips pose a threat in that that they sit on the ground, within your kid’s reach. To them, they’re nothing more than a toy. If you want to prevent your child from tampering with power strips, you can place covers, just like the ones mentioned above, over the unused outlets. That’s the easy childproofing method.
The second tricky task here is figuring out how to prevent your child from unplugging electrical devices. Luckily, there are outlet covers for that too!
3. Extension Cords
The main concern with extension cords is the possibility of your child tripping over them. When your child is first learning to walk, they’re quite adventurous, and the last thing you want is for them to feel discouraged, or worse – hurt, because they keep tripping.
With extension cords, you have several options to choose from.
- Duct Cord Covers
- Electrical Cord Shortener
- Duct Tape
Hickerson Electrical is your source for all home electrical services. We’re ready and willing to deliver top-quality service to your home at a moment’s notice. So call today at (703) 594-3913.
And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for updates, guides, and helpful information each week!
