Electrical Safety For Kids: 6 Rules And Teaching Tips
The key to excellent knowledge lies in the path of curiosity. It enables the mind to evolve and attain vigorous intellect. However, there are certain times when curiosity does more harm than good. Children happen to be the most curious of all the family members. They tend to involve themselves in almost every other activity. Hence, it becomes crucial to isolate the electrical wires and connections. Make sure to keep the electrical safety top-notch. Along with proper insulation, you must stick to lesser load and sustainable usage.
When it comes to electrical energy, safety is the prime concern. You must take adequate steps to keep the kids away from electrical appliances as well as cords. Keep reading to know the easy ways in which you can ensure better electrical safety in your home.
Avoid Overload & Direct Contact With Outlets
People are in the habit of plugging in multiple devices in the power cord. Not only does this practice heat the appliances, but it also causes early damage to the wires. Moreover, kids are more likely to experience electrical injuries in these cases. Excessively heated wires transmit electricity at a higher rate. Least touch with these overloaded cords might end up deleteriously for the toddlers in your house. So, all you need to do is prevent the usage of multiple appliances simultaneously.
Another critical aspect of preventing electrical injuries emerges from limiting direct communication. You must keep your kid away from the cords. Also, warn the kids to stay away from the electrical outlets and not to put fingers inside them. Kids tend to be highly curious and preach to explore every corner of the house. Isolate the electrical cords and prevent the damage up to a greater extent.
Utmost Care Of The Damaged Wires
Electrical wires contain insulation that prevents transmission of electricity in the least touch. However, there are times when the insulation breaks off. As soon as you observe any damaged wire, repair the same on a priority basis. You never know when the toddlers injure themselves on their quest to explore the entire house. Along with the electrical injuries, broken wires can hinder the electrical transmission as well. That way, your appliances receive a lesser amount of energy than they require. While purchasing the cords, accurately analyze the amount of load upon it. Based on the load, you can easily choose the right extension cord. Don’t forget to buy the cord with shorter cords to prevent any tripping or falling hazards.
Always lookout for a profession and knowledgeable electrician. Also, discuss the ideal electrical connections and precautionary measures with him beforehand. Not only does this prepare you for the worst situation, but it also helps in attaining the required knowledge.
Don’t Forget To Unplug The Appliances
One of the most overlooked factors in every household is not unplugging appliances when not in use. Everybody talks about this, but just a handful of people do the same. If you have children in your house, you must take the necessary steps to prevent injuries. Always start from the unplugging part. Make sure to take the plug out every time you’re done using a specific device. This prevents the child from getting injured while playing with the device. Further, taking the cord off also prevents the unnecessary heating up of the cord. Opt for durability and act as a responsible person.
Electricity And Water Repel Each Other
You must have read in the school about the electrical conductivity of tap water. Electricity travels faster when an appliance is wet or in touch with tap water. As soon as someone touches a wet electrical wire, the electricity transmission begins in the entire body. The electric shock takes the lives of thousands of people every year and the count is ever-increasing. Explain to your child about the conductivity of tap water and make them understand the situation politely.
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Apart from wet wires, you must not touch the cords barefoot. Earth happens to be a good ground for receiving the extra electrical energy. When you’re barefoot, your body acts as a medium to communicate the electricity from the appliance to the ground. Be a little more cautious to prevent life-threatening conditions amongst the children.
Isolate The Power Cords When Possible
Arrange the power cords in such a manner that they don’t hinder or lead to the tripping of the people. Falling hazards are prevalent amongst toddlers and older adults who because of loose wires. Hence, make sure to isolate the power lines. During the learning and walking phase of your kid, the isolation part becomes even more crucial. Remind your child every day of the consequences related to touching the power cords. That way, they are likely to remember it throughout their life. The best way to arrange the power lines is by keeping all the connections in a single room. Moreover, you can ask the members not to enter that room.
Follow Instructions & Keep The Exhaust Clean
Every electrical appliance comes up with a set of rules, regulations, and instructions. Often, people tend to overlook the instructions part and begin to exploit the same. You must read the instructions thoroughly for the betterment of your family and children. Every manual contains information regarding electrical injury as well as it’s management. Apart from the pre-requisites, you need to be prepared for the actual fire hazard. Check all the exhausts of appliances yourself and clean the dirty ones.
Final Verdict
Every year, in the US, around 3000 deaths related to electrical injuries occur. Out of these, one-third of the deaths occur at a young age. Hence, it becomes the duty of the guardians to teach their kids the necessary electrical safety precautions. From keeping your hands dry to wearing the right quality footwear, every aspect has its advantages. Also, get yourself acquainted with the right amount of information regarding injury management.
