It runs throughout our homes and our children are surrounded by it everyday, but because we can’t see it, smell it or hear it, we often take electricity for granted, forgetting that it can injure and even kill through shock or fire.

As part of Child Safety Week, 18-24 June, consumer champion the Electrical Safety Council is urging parents to take a closer look at potential electrical hazards around the home and help children to learn how to use electricity safely.

Every year thousands of people in the US & UK are seriously injured as a result of electrical accidents in the home, many of them children.Through taking basic precautions, parents can help to minimise the risks.

Phil Buckle, director of the Electrical Safety Council in England explains, “Young children in particular do not understand the dangers of electricity and as a result they can be very vulnerable.While there are obvious things that parents should look out for such as damaged plugs, sockets and flexes, which are very dangerous and should be repaired or replaced, other hazards may not be immediately obvious. For instance, there are kitchen appliances that are branded with cartoon characters, brightly-coloured kettles and toasters, novelty lamps and light bulbs – these are not toys and reach hazardously high temperatures, yet their designs can make them very ‘child-appealing’. The Electrical Safety Council is able to put pressure on manufacturers to understand the safety implications of such products and modify their designs, but parents need to be aware of the dangers too.”

The Electrical Safety Council has put together the following tips to help parents keep children safe from everyday electrical hazards around the home:

• Water and electricity can be a lethal combination so make sure children are dried off thoroughly after a bath or shower before going near any electrical appliances. And, don’t let the kids go straight from the paddling pool into the house (where there are electrical sources) without getting them dried first.
• Keep drinks away from TVs, DVD players, stereos, speakers, computers, games consoles and other electrical items.
• Get into the habit of turning off electric games and appliances when they’re not in use or when you go to bed.It is not only safer, but will save you money and is kinder to the environment.
• Be aware of potential electrical hazards in the garden – lawn mowers, hedge cutters, electrical air pumps for inflatables.Ensure that any electrical sockets that are used to power these appliances are fitted with an RCD, a safety cut-out device.
• Keep appliance cords out of the reach of children, especially those connected to hot items such as kettles, irons or hair straighteners.
• Never leave an unconnected appliance cord plugged in and switched on (for example, a mobile phone charger).Young children may be tempted to put the end of the cord in their mouths.

The Electrical Safety Council has launched a new online resource www.switchedonkids.org.uk which includes games, quizzes and other fun interactive features to help children understand more about electricity and keeping safe.There’s also a section for parents which includes basic essential first aid information.

For information on any of the topics listed below, click here.

Sincerely,
James Chisholm
Sacramento Home Inspections, Inc.