Electrical Safety- Ways to Prevent Electrical Injury and Keep Your Family Safe

With parenting comes great responsibility, as I am sure many of you know. There are so many things to remember, learn and figure out. One main thing is to ensure that our children are as safe as possible in the homes we raise them in. Baby gates, deadbolts and toilet lid locks, these are all obvious parts of making sure your home is safe for the wee ones in your lives. We also need to make sure that electrical safety is not overlooked.

Electrical Safety

Being married to an electrician, I am lucky that I have had years of experience with electrical safety. You see, my husband is a Master Electrician and has always been adamant that our house be as safe as possible. 

I remember when I was pregnant with our first child, my husband ran around the house ensuring that all the receptacles were intact and installed correctly. To this day he still checks to make sure that everything electrical in the house is safe and monitored properly. Electrical safety is very important to him because not only is it his job, he is well aware of the consequences an electric shock can have on the body. 

Electrical Safety Tips

Given that my husband is really into electrical safety, it has made me far more aware of the steps that need to be taken to ensure that our family is well protected. 

There are many steps that we have taken to protect our family from the dangers of electrical shocks. Here are some important ones everyone should follow:

  1. If your outlet has a missing or broken cover plate, replace it immediately. Outlet covers create a barrier between children and exposed wires.
  2. Install tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles to protect younger children from shocks. They have shutters that cover the plug slots and help prevent little fingers or objects from going into the outlet.
  3. Small kids often want to explore new things by putting them in their mouths. Keep cords away from little hands and mouths. This is a serious shock hazard—and no shock is a safe shock.
  4. Teach older children how to plug in and unplug safely. Never overload outlets by plugging in too many cords. Use an approved power bar that has surge protection instead. When it’s time to unplug, don’t yank cords from the wall. This can damage the appliance, the cord and the outlet
  5. If a cord is frayed, replace it. Tape won’t protect kids from a shock. Extension cords—which should only be used temporarily—are prone to cracking and fraying, which can lead to a shock or fire.
  6. Water and electricity can be a lethal mix. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)—the ones with the reset button—in any room with water (ie. bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms) to help protect from a shock.
  7. If you have electrical work that needs to be done in your home, hire only a Licensed Electrical Contractor for the work.  

Making sure we have followed these tips has helped to keep our family “shock-free” and safe. We are lucky to have only positive experiences with electricity because we have always been smart about the way we deal with it. My kids still aren’t really allowed to plug and unplug anything to the outlet without permission and they are 9 & 6. They have always witnessed us making the right choices with electricity and so they have been taught by example and also education. We have always made sure to show them the proper way to unplug cords, making sure to never grab them and pull them by the cord itself and also explaining the proper way to work with electricity. We want to avoid the risk of shock, the best we can.

WIN IT

Share a personal story about how you keep your kids safe in the comments of this post and be entered to WIN a $50 Gift Card from Canadian Tire to help make some of our suggested fixes. Giveaway is open to Canada only, All entries will be verified. 

Join the Conversation

Follow the conversation on Twitter and Facebook or by using the Hashtag: #NoSafeShock 

Learn more about keeping your family safe by visiting: www.esasafe.com/nosafeshock

 

Ninjamommers was provided compensation in order to share her experiences and these learning tools. All opinions are of her own and not influenced in any way.

 

71 Comments

  1. Jonnie on October 19, 2017 at 11:21 am

    We keep the kids safe by keeping outlets covered and teaching the kids to unplug and plug in cords properly with no wiggling.

  2. MARGO B on October 19, 2017 at 11:36 am

    I used the outlet plugs so they wouldn’t stick their hands in the socket, got rid of all glass ornaments, glass coffee table and just made sure it was completely child proof to keep them safe

  3. Parenting Patch (@ParentingPatch) on October 19, 2017 at 11:57 am

    All the wiring in my house is new. We have some problems a while back and opted to replace it all for safety reasons.

  4. Amy Heffernan on October 19, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    One way I keep my kids safe is by always installing new batteries in out smoke alarms! Thanks!

  5. Robyn Bellefleur on October 19, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    My husband takes care of all things electrical in our house. He does regular checks to make sure the outlets are intact and the ones we are not using have covers in them.

  6. Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15) on October 19, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    Very important info. I am passionate about electric safety and when I see kid dangers in friends photos, I point it out to them

  7. Glogirl on October 19, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    To keep kids safe who visit our house, we keep our electrical outlets covered with plug covers.

  8. kathy downey on October 19, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    We teach our kids about Electricity and how important for daily living but it can also be very dangerous if not treated with respect!

  9. Florence Cochrane on October 19, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    I always keep my outlet covered. That way when kids are around they don’t get the opportunity to pole things in them,

  10. Liz Mays on October 19, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    Oh these are some really important things to remember. It’s definitely good to get those electrical issues taken care of as fast as possible.

  11. ivy pluchinsky on October 19, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    We kid proof our house and make sure any cords are away from kids hands and they cant play with them.

  12. Judy Cowan on October 19, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    We put outlet shields into the ones we are not using and try to keep cords out of reach of little hands.

  13. Nancy Montgomery on October 19, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    I remember when an antique lamp gave a shock despite not being on. Good lesson on the importance of updating electrical cords.

  14. andrea amy (@mommy2fiveboys) on October 19, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    We’ve always kept child proofing plugs in the electric sockets (still even though they are not toddlers anymore), I check cords and plus frequently, and don’t allow them to play with their tablets while they are plugged in.

  15. Piroska on October 19, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    We always make sure there are plug covers to kid-proof. Also, I don’t like using extension cords. The computers are connected to surge-protected power bars.

  16. Jenn Erin on October 19, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    We use electrical outlet caps on the outlets and we make sure to keep extension cords out of the way.

  17. Maritess S on October 19, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    I teach them about the risk about dealing with electrical devices. I try to teach it depending on the age but not put in the fear of electricity.

  18. Stephanie LaPlante on October 19, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    I don’t have children of my own but lots in my life. I have all wires hidden/covered, outlet covers and make sure children stay out of the basement.

  19. Krista Miller (@MillerKrazy) on October 19, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    I still use child-proof caps on my outlets as I have a child with special needs who does not understand the risks & I try my best to keep him safe. I also have a GFCI outlet in the bathroom.

  20. Jenny Major on October 19, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    We use electrical outlet caps on the outlets

  21. Katrina on October 19, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    I just bought a multi-gas detector for my home to keep my family safe.

  22. loucheryl on October 19, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    I have covered all of our electrical outlets so our boys can’t invade them. We also have gates at the top and bottom of our stairs.

  23. Stephanie on October 19, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    We try to minimize the risks in our house to keep the kids safe!

  24. krisha4444 on October 19, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    we child proofed our house hard core after my youngest got in a drawer in the bath room and had the got the cap off the visine. we use the outlet covers, fastened everything to the walls and use child proof locks on the cabinets and drawers

  25. Wendy Hutton on October 19, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    I keep them safe by having the outlets covered, make sure they are in good ocnditon- no cracker or chipped outlets, make sure cords are not in the way-hidden behind things, and teach them its not something to play with

  26. jenny at dapperhouse (@dapperhouse) on October 19, 2017 at 11:03 pm

    These are great tips. I never really thought to talk to my son about these things but I will now because he most likely doesnt know!

  27. Kristen from The Road to Domestication on October 19, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    This is a great post! Especially for us – we’re child-proofed for 1-year-old twins at our house, and it’s AMAZING how quickly they get into things LOL

  28. Josh S on October 19, 2017 at 11:33 pm

    We have taught our kids about the importance of being safe around electricity. I inspect all cords and plugs often to make sure they are in proper order.

  29. cottagebunny on October 20, 2017 at 12:31 am

    On way I keep my kids safe from electrical shock is by using outlet protectors so they can’t stick any small itms into the outlets. #NoSafeShock

  30. Soozle on October 20, 2017 at 7:34 am

    Items that aren’t being used that need plugs are unplugged rather than left turned off and plugged in!

  31. adventures on October 20, 2017 at 8:12 am

    When my grandbabies were little, it was so hard to keep them away from the outlets. Electrical safety is not something most people think about nowadays. Thank you for once again shedding a light on this important area.

  32. Mommy Queenelizabeth on October 20, 2017 at 11:03 am

    One of the many worries i had at home with my kids is electrical safety. Especially if you have a toddler. This article is very helpful! My kids are now grown ups but i do have one little boy becoming a toddler soon and i need to watch out and educate him on this.

  33. Wendy Polisi on October 20, 2017 at 1:43 pm

    I have luckily never been shocked in my life, but I have seen it too many times. This is a really good help form.

  34. l p on October 20, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    all the outlets are covered or in use and our reason for doing so was discussed when the kids were old enough. thanks

  35. Sunshine G on October 20, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    We have conversations about how electricity works and why we need to be careful.

  36. Gillian Morgan on October 20, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    We have outlet covers and gates on the stairs.

  37. Maria on October 20, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    I use outlet plug covers

  38. Ave Hla on October 21, 2017 at 4:15 am

    Electrical safety is very important to us too because we had 2 friends who lost their life as a consequence of an electric shock. We have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in our bathroom but should install them in the kitchen too.

  39. Pam on October 21, 2017 at 6:14 am

    one of the things we had to do was put a latch lock on the under the sink cupboard.
    I always let him play with the pots and pans and tupperware, but did not want him getting into cleaning supplies, plastic bags.

  40. Betty S on October 21, 2017 at 9:30 am

    I keep my children safe, by investing in plug covers and making sure that cords are not out in visible places. We also take the time to have discussions about safety

  41. Angela on October 21, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    We talk alot about safety. It’s always good to have electrical units covered.

  42. leana on October 21, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    We keep our kids safe by always putting used knives on the windowsill while waiting to be washed, out of little hands reach

  43. josephine evans on October 21, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    I keep a good eye on my boys and have baby proofed my home

  44. Dave on October 21, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    keeping outlets covered and no extension cords

  45. Juliee Fitze on October 22, 2017 at 7:48 am

    I cover all the outlet covers and teach them not to pull out plugs by the cord.

  46. TColeman on October 22, 2017 at 11:09 am

    Keeping little hands out of outlets is so important. We have everything covered even though our children are a little older.

  47. Bobbi on October 22, 2017 at 11:10 am

    With the gbaby coming to visit at least 2 days a week this is so important for our home. I could never imagine what I would feel if something bad happened to her because of electrical things in the house.

  48. Kelly Hutchinson (@KickingWKelly) on October 22, 2017 at 2:21 pm

    Thank you for so many great electrical safety tips. We do keep an eye out for broken outlet covers and frayed cords.

  49. Jenny (@jnylala) on October 22, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    I keep our family safe by making sure our electrical appliances are out of reach and our outlets are covered.

  50. Mei Redillas on October 23, 2017 at 1:21 am

    This is SO worth sharing! Thank you for this. We know that electricity is always dangerous that’s why we need to remind ourselves to check everything at home.

  51. Nicolthepickle (@Nicolthepickle) on October 23, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    I unplug my small appliances and put their cords away. My youngest is very curious about outlets so we’re careful.

  52. lori b on October 23, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    by having the outlets covered with plugs

  53. tiffanycho15 on October 23, 2017 at 8:02 pm

    I keep my family safe by making sure the outlets are intact and the ones we are not using have covers in them, also keeping dangerous kitchen appliances out of reach!

  54. Tammy Dalley (@Tammykayv) on October 24, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    I keep all outlets covered !!!

  55. Lisa bolduc on October 24, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    we had to put down all around out coffee table as my son was always falling and getting hurt . he is clumsy

  56. Maryanne on October 25, 2017 at 1:35 am

    I am extra vigilant about keeping electrical cords away from our little one. When I was a kid, my younger brother used a spoon to pry apart a plug and an extension cord. He blew a hole in the spoon but was fortunately unhurt.

  57. Brenda Penton on October 25, 2017 at 11:20 am

    I make sure to frequently check and replace the batteries in the smoke detector. I also make sure that all exits and windows can be opened easily during a fire.

  58. Candy Rachelle on October 28, 2017 at 11:50 am

    These are so important tips. We should be aware of this, It’s better to be prepared than never! Glad to know this important tips.

  59. Kandi on November 2, 2017 at 11:22 am

    Sounds like my husband! He is a Journeyman Electrician and went through our house several times while the kids were younger. Now we are in a new house and he is updating all the electrical stuff (so we can have more then one outlet in the rooms). He is starting to teach our son some of the trade.

  60. Amer Constantine on November 2, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    it’s amazing how sometimes we neglect these small things that could lead to a bigger danger. Thanks for these prevention tips.

  61. Dina Demarest on November 3, 2017 at 11:55 am

    I really believe that we should always prevent accidents instead of brushing it off your mind. Prevention is the key to a healthy family!

  62. Tiffany on November 3, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    Great tips! Electrical safety is important. You never know what could happen.

  63. Josselyn Radillo on November 3, 2017 at 11:24 pm

    I’m at only child and I don’t have kids yet but i love this post and I’m gonna
    take this tips for the future

  64. Melanie on November 4, 2017 at 2:23 am

    In 8th grade, my friend stuck keys inside the electrical outlet and shorted out the power for the whole school. I don’t think we ever told anyone what we did. Hope my kids make safer decisions that I did as a kid.

  65. Living Naturally News on November 4, 2017 at 6:12 am

    This is so important, especially with little ones around the house! And as kids grow older you can involve them in household safety so they understand the dangers.

  66. Cynthia Nicoletti on November 5, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Nice tips. You can’t be careful enough for little ones. You have to keep your home baby proofed with good products.

  67. Rebecca Swenor on November 5, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    These are all great tips for electrical safety tips for families with kids. I know we always used the outlet covers when my kids were little. It is so important to teach children too about the hazards of water and electricity. Thanks for sharing the information.

  68. Blair Villanueva on November 6, 2017 at 1:25 am

    These are great tips! Im also kinda OC in terms of electrical wirings and checking all the outleta are in good condition and safe. Prevention is better than cure.

  69. duffelbagspouse on November 6, 2017 at 11:48 am

    So true. Even when you think you have it covered, you can walk in on your grandson watching youtube on his laptop while in the tub. Thank God.

  70. Shannon Gurnee on November 6, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    These are definitely some important tips when it comes to electrical safety and kids in the home. Thank you for sharing these.

  71. Befitting Style on November 7, 2017 at 12:12 am

    Some ppl try to skip out and do it the cheap way. This is totally true. A licensed electrician is a must.

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