If you are now or have ever been a parent of a young child, you already know what a crazy, exciting, wonderful time this is in your little one’s life. As babies start crawling and toddlers start walking, it soon becomes clear that the whole world is something to explore to them—everything is an opportunity to grab, poke, and even bite. That’s why when it comes to electrical safety, you can never be too careful.
At Mel Carr Electric, we know pretty much everything there is to know about outlets. That’s why we also know that, unfortunately, many of the established methods for childproofing are not as reliable as they should be. Keep reading to learn the best 4 ways to childproof your outlets from our experienced Albany electricians, and make sure to contact Mel Carr Electric for all your main electrical services.
The 4 Most Reliable Ways to Childproof Your Electrical Outlets
- Using outlet plugs or caps: Outlet plugs or caps are simple plastic tools which you can purchase at almost any home improvement store. They are easy to travel with, and simple to use—per their name, literally all you have to do is plug them into your outlets. However, it is worth noting that plastic caps can be a choking hazard if your toddler pulls them out of the socket. We suggest avoiding the colorful, kid-friendly ones, which may actually make children want to play with them more, and only using them until your child is old enough to walk. After that, you may want to consider…
- Installing sliding outlet covers: Sliding covers are a great way to automatically close your outlets off from children, without also creating a choking hazard. They are easy to put in but difficult for children to remove, making them a more long-lasting solution for parents with toddlers.
- Putting in box outlet covers: Many people have never even heard of box outlet covers, yet they may be the most effective way to childproof your home’s electrical outlets yet. These devices completely cover your outlet, leaving only a small space for your cord to get out at the bottom. Like sliding covers, they are difficult for children to manipulate, but easy enough for adults to remove, in case you need access to the outlet the box is covering. Although you will still want to make sure your child isn’t playing with the cords coming out of the bottom of your outlet, these devices are excellent for preventing your child from accessing the outlet itself—especially if it’s an outlet you don’t need anything plugged into at all!
- Getting Tamper-Resistant Outlets: Tamper-resistant outlets may look like regular receptacles, but are far more effective for protecting your children. They are also a National Electrical Code requirement, so if your older home does not have them you should hire a professional electrician to upgrade you as soon as possible. Fortunately, our Albany electrical pros offer tamper-resistant outlets that will keep your little ones and everyone else in your home safe for years to come.
For more electrical safety tips, call Mel Carr Electric now at (518) 500-3042, or click here to send us a message online.