5 Electrical Safety Tips to Teach Your Kids

Kids are curious and love to explore everything around them with great enthusiasm. While this curiosity is essential to their development, their safety is paramount. As a result, this curiosity must be controlled as it can put them in danger. Kids might not be mature enough to discern what will put them in jeopardy. This is where teaching your kids about electrical safety comes in.

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Electricity is essential to modern-day living. We have many gadgets around us that run on electricity. As important as electricity is, it is dangerous if improperly handled. Electricity is around us in the form of power outlets, power lines, and devices. These little ones need to be more intellectually capable of discerning what a threat to their existence is.

As a result, it is up to you, as a parent, to look out for their safety. You can explain in simple terms what your kids need to know regarding electrical safety.

Electricity and Water Do Not Mix

Water is a good conductor of electricity. If there is water around in contact with electricity, your kid does not have to be in direct contact with a power source to experience an electric shock. With this in mind, ensure your kids understand the importance of keeping water away from power outlets, including water bottles, cups, and jugs.

A complete No-No is coming straight out of the swimming pool or from the rain and touching an electrical device or power outlet. Let them know they cannot pour liquids on the ground, especially if an extension socket exists. If possible, keep all water cups and bottles covered, and be sure to live by example.

Power Outlet is Out of Their Play zone.

The inquisitive nature of kids might draw them to explore electrical outlets, power cords, and sockets. Sadly, kids do not understand the threats of these devices, so they explore them unsafely. Some little ones chew on everything they come across, so it is not surprising if they think a power cord is something they can chew.

Their means of exploration could be poking little holes in electrical outlets with their fingers or metal conductors or their toys.

Let them understand that electrical outlets and power cords are out of reach. Try to communicate to make them know that outlets are a hazard capable of causing death. Be clear that they can only play with their pet and toys, not the power outlets, cords, and cables. 

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Let Them Understand Safety Use of Electrical Cords

For kids that have come of age a little, you should establish some rules as a habit to develop when dealing with electrical cords. This can guide them and go a long way in preventing accidents.

A few of the rules to cover are highlighted below:

• Do not be forceful with electrical cords. Nip it in the bud before pulling it out
• Unplugging a cord by yanking it out is a terrible idea. Grab it and pull gently.
• Running an extension cord across the room could constitute a trip hazard. It is not safe to do that.
• Do not use a damaged electrical cord or power outlet.
• Never force a plug that does not fit an outlet. Find a better outlet for the plug.

Teach them the Hazards of Power Line.

Let them understand that playing under power lines is a bad idea. If your kids love climbing trees, make sure they do not climb any tree with a power line near or running through it.

Safety around power lines must be considered. There could be a wind that might bring down a power line. Tell them to contact an adult immediately and not move near it.

Flying a kite is fun, but discourage it around power lines. Also, let them know that they should not touch a power line on no account. Anyone touching it should immediately go and call for help rather than trying to touch him or her.

Teach Them Warning Signs to watch out for

For kids who have come of age a little, teach them signs of dangers and potential electrical hazards. Simple things you can teach them are:

• Appliances with exposed wires are hazards, so they cannot be used.
• Tell them not to use an outlet discolored due to burn.
• Teach them to recognize the smell of burning wires, which clearly express that something is wrong.
• Let them know the danger of plugging multiple appliances into a single outlet. Overloading an outlet might make it overheat, which could trigger a spark or fire.

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Conclusion

Responsible parents will give anything to keep their kids safe. It is a good idea to teach them to understand the hazards and threats posed by electricity. Be sure to communicate with your kids in a language they will understand. In the same way you told them it is prohibited to collect candy from a stranger, teach them how bad it is to explore electricity and electrical appliances without adequate supervision.