When are children most at risk in your home? The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) reports that kids are most likely to suffer serious harm from birth to four years old. Infant and toddler safety is major concern all around the world, and with good reason. Every year, young children suffer from electrocution, electrical burns, falls, and choking hazards. Here’s what you’ll need to keep little ones safe:
Desk Grommets and Color Cable Ties
Hard plastic or rubber grommets fit into desktops and tabletops. The circular or oblong products keep wires away from desk edges, ledges, corners, and doors that may break, bend, or tear electrical cords. Moreover, furniture grommets can be an invaluable tool for parents. The same grommets keep electrical cords contained within furniture, and well out of babies’ reach. Keep in mind that, when cords are left out in the open, babies may tug on them and pull electronics and small appliances, such as TVs and toasters, onto their heads.
Similarly, parents and caretakers can use nylon cable ties to fasten wiring securely out of the way. Cable ties clamp cables into place using a series of teeth and a pawl. Manufacturers can purchase color cable ties to easily identify and organize wiring.
Outlet Covers
Emergency rooms treat seven children with electrical burns from tampering with outlets every day, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). Moreover, the most popular outlet covers — the small, lightweight plastic ones — may not be the best choice. These fixtures, requiring users to remove and replace them every time, are impractical. Parents often forget to replace them, and these small outlet covers can pose serious choking hazards if they fall onto the floor. Outlet covers with horizontally sliding locks are the best solution, says Colleen Driscoll, executive director of the International Association for Child Safety.
Keep babies and toddlers safe from common household hazards. Prevent electrical burns and other serious injuries by securing wiring with desk grommets and cable ties, and covering outlets with convenient, stationary outlet covers with sliding doors. Check out this site for more.