Electricity and Children
The Dangers of Electricity
All children, regardless of their age, need to be aware of the dangers of electricity.
Children are naturally curious and do not know the dangers of electricity. Teaching them the basics about the power of electricity and
electrical shock helps to keep them safe from harm. The following basics of electricity are important for children to understand.
- Electricity has the power to cause burns, shocks and even death.
- Appliances and power cords can be just as dangerous as electrical power lines if you do not take proper safety precautions.
- Electricity flows easily through water, and it will travel through your body since your body is made of 70 percent water.
Keep Your Children Safe around Electricity
When babies start to crawl or walk, extra care has to be taken that they do not harm themselves. Children are naturally interested in cords and
plugs. Here is some advice on how to make sure that your children are safe:
- Children love playing with loose hanging wires. Make sure that the cord of your iron and kettle are not left hanging were a child can
pull them, thereby causing a hot iron or kettle to fall down and burn the child.
- If you have turn the heater on, watch your child carefully so that he does not stick his fingers through the grill and touch the hot bars
of the heater.
- Do not let your children play with electrical cords – they can chew on a live wire.
- Keep all unused plugs in the house covered with a safety plug. Babies love to stick their fingers into the plug holes.
- 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.
- Don't leave appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers running especially during the night or when you are
out.
- Appliances should be switched off when not in use.
- After a bath or shower, you should make sure your children are dried off thoroughly before they go anywhere near electrical things like
games consoles – water and electricity can be deadly.
- This also means not letting your kids run straight from the paddling pool into the house where there are plugs sockets and switches.
Get them dry first.
- Keep drinks away from TVs, DVD players, stereos, speakers, computers, games consoles and anything else electrical.
