Parents know just how determined a curious young child can be. Tamper-proof bottles for medicine, food, and a wide variety of other items have been introduced over the years to keep kids away from potentially harmful products. Another part of your house can be just as dangerous to young kids: your electrical system. Ensuring your home is entirely up to date with the latest tamper-resistant devices is the best way to keep your family safe and provide peace of mind for your entire family.
The Dangers
Often quoted statistics provided by Electrical Safety Foundation International, a 501 nonprofit organization, found that over 2,000 children a year are injured with severe shocks or burns due to outlets in the home. However, all aspects of your electrical system might be dangerous to a young child. Loose wires and power strips also provide opportunities for a curious kid to mess with a hazardous item. Utilizing these tips can prevent any injuries to your little one.
Outlets are the most common source of electrical injuries to young children. If you bought outlet or sliding covers, you might think your outlets are already safe. However, it has been repeatedly shown that children can bypass these simple protections if left alone to their own devices. Any method that slows down or diminishes a child’s curiosity will lessen their chance of injury, but completely eliminating that risk should be a top priority.
Tamper Resistant Outlets (or Receptacles) are the new gold standard for home electrical safety. These outlets block foreign objects from engaging with any electrical components by only activating when a plug engages both sides of the outlet. TRRs were once not required but have been standardized in most new homes since the mid-2010s. Your home might only have TRRs installed if it has been renovated recently, so make sure to call our experts if you need this critical safety feature installed.
Loose electrical wires, including power strips, are another aspect of your electrical system that you must remember to address. There are two main risks associated with loose wires and power strips.
An excess of wires can be a hazard in many ways, such as a tripping or choking hazard. While not directly associated with an electrical injury, loose wires sprawled all over the ground are a sign that you need to upgrade your outlet capabilities. By installing newer tamper-resistant outlets in your home, you can plug in your devices in many access points and lessen the amount of exposed wire running along a wall or floorboard.
Power strips are similar; they signify that you need more outlets to address your electrical needs. A skilled electrician can determine the best place to install new outlets to lower your reliance on external power strips. However, if necessary, utilizing power strips still needs to be done in a safe way. Numerous tamper-proof models are available, but some come with the same issues as outlets: a curious and determined child can still be a danger to themselves if left alone. By positioning power strips behind furniture or out of your kid’s reach, you can eliminate one potential place where an injury can occur.
You might not be aware of which models and types of outlets and power strips are best in terms of safety, but that’s okay. Our professionals don’t just do installations; they come equipped with the knowledge and expertise to recommend the perfect tamper-resistant safety solution for your household. Call us today for an assessment and recommendations. Be safe for the holidays, and call the experts at Promise Electric today.
