HOW TO BABY PROOF ELECTRICAL PLUGS AND CORDS AT HOME
We live in a modern world of wifi, appliances, cords, outlets, and of course - electricity.
Because of the amount of cord, plugs and switches in our homes, it's important to learn how to live safely around the home with the wired-world that we have createed.
TAKE A LOOK AROUND AND IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS - So many items around modern homes are run through electricity and we can easily overlook some electrical items when doing our home safety audits. It's a great idea to get down on your hands and knees, and crawl around your home so that you can see each room from your babies point of view.
While crawling around your home (use knee pads if you must), look for electrical outlets, power strips and cords that may be hidden by furniture.
Now that you've done the baby safety audit and found all those pesky hazards, it's time to get baby proofing!
BABY PROOFING ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Electrical outlets are usually located around 12 inches from floor level – the perfect height to raise the interest of your little one. Babies are not just curious, they also love watch, observe and imitate adults. If they watch you inserting a plug into an electrical outlet, it's highly likely that they will imitate that behavior with whatever objects they can find.
It is highly recommended to have spring-loaded shutters that cover the electrical outlet when not in use. Many electrical safety professionals also recommend having older electrical outlets updated to spring loaded tamper resistant models.
For those of use who live in older homes, there are many simple DIY baby proofing options for electrical outlets.
The great thing is that many of these tips on how to baby proof electronics also apply to your pets!
You can see all of our recommended baby proofing electrical safety products here.
BABY PROOFING ELECTRICAL OUTLET PLUGS
The most common way to baby proof electrical outlets are to use plugs, outlet covers or outlet caps,.
These plastic baby proof plugs are plugged, for lack of a better word, directly into the electrical outlet’s sockets and are great for outlets that are rarely or never used. The exposed part of the plug is smooth, making it hard for your little one to grip and remove it from the electrical socket.
There aren't too many style choices, and it basically comes down to choosing from clear to opaque.
Baby Proofing Tip: Most baby proofing plugs are very cheap, so test them out or you will be throwing some away.
Below are some of the better baby proofing plugs for electrical outlets.
JOOL ELECTRICAL OUTLET PLUGS
DESCRIPTION:
The go-to product when it comes to baby-proofing electrical outlets around the home. All you need to do is press the plugs into unused power outlets to stop children from inserting objects and hands into the source of electrical currents. They cover the outlet holes with a transparent surface that makes them unappealing to children.
THEY’RE GREAT BECAUSE
- Universal fit and easy to install.
- Come in affordable packs, able to cover your entire home.
- Unappealing to children.
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CHECK AMAZON AUSTRALIAELECTRICAL OUTLET PLATE COVERS
These are a brilliant option for baby proofing high-traffic areas around the home.
These are spring-loaded where a covering plate must be slid to the side to reveal the socket. Once the plug is removed from the socket, the spring pushes the plate back to cover the socket automatically. You'll never have to think twice about whether you covered the socket.
Installation is very easy, and takes no longer than 30 seconds with one screw to install.
Baby Proofing Tip: I'ts probably best not to install these outlet covers in difficult to reach places that you access often as it is a little fidgety to get the plug in with limited view and room to move.
SELF-CLOSING ELECTRICAL OUTLET COVERS
DESCRIPTION:
The spring loaded electrical outlet-covers sliding mechanism closes automatically, with a standard size that fits most average outlets and easy installation, you will have your power outlet plate in place within minutes. Never worry about whether the socket is exposed. Great for high-traffic areas that are easy to reach.
THEY’RE GREAT BECAUSE
- Easy to install and remove.
- Slide back into place after the removal of plugs.
- Plain and unattractive to children.
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CHECK AMAZON AUSTRALIABABY PROOFING ELECTRICAL POWER STRIPS
Baby proofing electrical power strips are used when there are many electrical cords running through the same outlet, like an entertainment center which may need power to supply the TV, media player, video game console and other appliances. The downside of electrical power strips is that they are on the ground
One way to solve this problem is with a baby proof power strip cover.
Baby proof power strip covers slide over your power strip, blocking access to the sockets. Some products offer a separate section that offers access to the overall on/off switch.
Baby Proofing Tip: You can also put outlet plugs into unused power strip sockets, for double the safety!
ELECTRICAL POWER STRIP SAFETY COVER
DESCRIPTION:
The power cord safety strip’s expandable design fits power strips up to 13.5 inches in length. Covers the power strip, on/off switch and plugs, preventing cords from being pulled out of plugs. Because power strips sit on the floor, these power strip safety covers a very important around entertainment centers.
THEY’RE GREAT BECAUSE
- Can change the length to suit all power strips.
- Can be used on the floor or mounted on walls.
- Plain and unappealing to children.
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CHECK AMAZON AUSTRALIAMOST IMPORTANT - TEACHING ELECTRICAL SAFETY
While the above electrical safety tips, products and advice can add a level of security to your home, you may not have those products once you leave home.
Because of this, it is incredibly important to you teach your kids to respect electricity and show a lot of caution yourself while around your children (and you should be anyway!).
Teach the proper electrical safety to your child and they will learn to respect electricity and stay away from any potential our existing hazards in their future.