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Electricity is of huge importance in our lives. More so, electrical safety for kids is key in every home – especially if you have kids. We need electricity almost for anything. It is thanks to it that our appliances work, our fridges keep our food cool, and our washing machines keep our clothes clean. Electricity is there from the moment we wake up to when we go to sleep.
In the past 20 years, technology has evolved so much that more and more kids are getting their hands on electric devices. And, while we don’t see the danger in them sometimes, it is there. Electricity is one of them, and for children, it is highly dangerous. Especially when they’re toddlers that start to crawl and move around the house to explore everything. You need to warn yourself about the major risks to which they’re exposed, to avoid any possible mishap.
Electrical safety for kids it’s a little hard to explain. Because at the end of the day, how are you teaching a child that something they can see, or touch exists? And more so, how do you tell them when something is safe or not? Here are a few suggestions to educate them about electrical safety for kids, the dangers of electricity, and a few things you can do to protect them.
1. Know the stats
The usage of the internet and electronic devices has been growing a lot with the development of new technologies. In fact, digital technology is an essential part of American families’ everyday lives. This also applies to children who are starting to interact with electronic devices in their early years.
According to some research made by Phew Research Center in 2020, more than 80% of kids interact frequently with at least one electronic device. The usage of these varies greatly with age, but we can see how at least 50% of kids aged 5 to 8 interact with computers, and more than half also interact with gaming devices.
When we see these stats, we know how important it is electrical safety for kids. Especially when more than one-third of parents with a child under 12 say their child began interacting with a smartphone before the age of 5.
2. How to teach electrical safety for kids
The best way to show danger is indeed to show it. However, it is hard to make a child understand, that something they can’t see is dangerous. When you think about electrical safety for kids, think about these 4 things: Examples, Education, Rules, and Warnings.
- Examples
One of the ways to explain electrical safety for kids is to show them the electricity by bringing them to the museum. Most modern museums today have handy exhibits for children, in which elements of science and nature can be understood literally.
If you don’t happen to have a museum handy, try with static electricity. Show them what happens as you rub your shoes on your mat and touch their hair. You can start feeling what electricity is when your fingers tingle. You can also try with a balloon to create static electricity.
- Education
Many books for kids explain how things work in a very simple way. Ask your local librarian about books on electrical safety for kids, visit your local library or bookshop and see what’s available. A lot of useful information is also available online, including websites that deal with electrical safety for kids, other safety issues for children, etc. The best way to explain electrical safety for kids with educational material is to make it fun. Make it a game of memory, a contest of questions and answers, a contest of coloring, or a punch.
- Set up some ground rules
Now that your kids understand more about electricity it is time to teach children a few rules about how to behave at home around electricity. These can include:
- Do not insert sharp objects into electric outlets or toasters
- Do not touch electric appliances without parent supervision
- Do not climb up in a substation to get a ball
- Do not fly your kites or climb a tree near power lines
- Do not touch appliances or light switches with wet hands
3. Some electrical safety measures to keep you and your loved ones safe
The first time a lesson is taught, children often don’t care about it. In order to ensure electrical safety for kids, you can also consider taking some precautions at home:
- Regardless of the age of your kids, try installing childproof covers for the electric outlets.
- Keep all electrical equipment out of sight. Never leave your kid unsupervised near electrical cords. Place the plugs at a height out of the reach of children, from when they start to crawl or move on their own.
- Under no circumstances, put the cables on the floor or under the carpets.
- Periodically check the condition of the plugs and fix them if they are faulty (outside the wall, broken or stained) or replace them with new ones. Same with extension cords.
- Repair electrical appliances with cables in poor condition.
- Unplug small appliances, such as clothes and hair irons or dryers, when not in use, to prevent children from pulling on the cables. And also to lower your electric bill, avoiding energy vampires. Check out this blog as well in case you want to learn more about how to make your home more efficient.
- Under no circumstances let children play with plugs or grab cables that they see lying in the street. They could be connected to the power line and cause burns. Also, do not allow them to climb on poles or tension towers.
- Never leave electric devices near water or vapor. Be aware your kid doesn’t touch an electric cord when he is barefoot.
- Teach them to always ask for help when they’re manipulating electronic devices.
These simple but important tips are essential for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones. We want to show you that electricity is an incredibly powerful source that deserves our attention and respect, from powering your appliances to lighting up your house. Go On, Be Powerful!
Feel free to share your experience with and if you find useful with these tips about electrical security for kids. You can contact us if you have any doubts. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
