Children have a natural curiosity about the world around them, but if we don't actively educate them about possible risks, curiosity can lead to trouble.
At JF Electrical and Fabrication, we emphasise our customers' safety above all else.
Here are five safety tips for teaching your kids to help raise awareness about electrical safety in your home.
1) Educate your children
When it comes to electricity, breaking the rules only once is enough to result in a serious accident. As a result, it's important to warn and educate your children about the dangers of electricity.
A really good idea is to visit your local library or bookstore to find a selection of children's books that illustrate how things work. Additionally, there is a variety of valuable material available online, including home protection issues and talking to children about electricity in particular.
2) Don’t put fingers or objects into power outlets.
This could seem a concern only for babies and toddlers, but if children don't understand how things work, they may become curious. Discuss with your children how electricity flows from an outlet to power devices and why this is harmful. It will keep them safe and provide them with an excellent opportunity to learn more about electricity.
This includes knives in toasters & other kitchen appliances.
3) Keep electricity away from water
This is vital because it's all too normal for curious children to get their hands wet and try to touch an electrical outlet or device.
You want to teach your children that water and electricity don't mix well and that combining the two will result in dangerous shocks.
However, educating them about electricity and water does not end with you teaching them the theoretical side of things. It entails watching for their average (bad) habits, which could lead to them combining the two.
The most famous example is when children or adolescents plug electrical devices such as Smartphones into toilets, kitchens, or other areas of the house where water is present.
Make sure your kids always know to dry their hands thoroughly.
4) Ascertain that your children are familiar with electrical cables, wires, and sockets.
Ensure your children understand the importance of not overloading power boards or adaptors. These products have the potential to overheat and catch fire. Furthermore, ensure that every extension cord you use has a safety switch that will trip in the event of an electrical fault.
Next, ensure your child understands how to recognise defective or broken cords. This will prevent them from contacting an exposed wire, but they can also serve as little spotters, alerting you to wires you were previously unaware of.
Teach your child that if they see a defective or broken cable, they should not touch or handle it and immediately notify you.
5) Set a good example for your kids regarding electrical protection at home.
Finally, the best way to educate is to serve as a role model for others. To set the right example, follow all safety principles and use proper behaviour when dealing with electricity.
It's never too early to teach your children about electrical protection at home. Begin teaching your children when they are young.
At JF Electrical and Fabrication, we firmly believe in correctly wiring your home to protect your family members (especially your children). Contact us today for a quote or guidance on electrical safety in your home.