Every year, approximately 500, 000 children under the age of five go to the hospital because of accidents at home in the United States. When bringing home a newborn child, therefore, it is imperative that you assess your home for lurking dangers. Here are five electrical safety tips to keep in mind.
Install Tamper-proof Outlets
Young children are naturally curious and have a habit of inserting different items into electrical outlets. It is advisable that you switch out all your traditional electrical outlets and install tamper-proof outlets. An experienced electrician in Miami can install tamper-proof outlets in your home.
Never Leave Light Sockets Open
Babies like to touch everything as they discover the world around them. An open light socket poses a serious threat to your child. Ensure that light bulbs in your home are placed in all open light sockets.
Minimize or Eliminate the Use of Cords
Newborns chew anything they get their hands on. If your child comes across an electrical cord lying about your home, the results can be disastrous. Long and tangled-up electrical cords can also trip small children, resulting in injuries. To eliminate the use of extension cords, contact a Miami electrician to install additional electrical outlets.
Where possible, cords that connect electrical appliances to the output should be hidden behind furniture. If you can, modify your home to minimize the use of cords. A fan, for example, can be replaced with a ceiling fan.
Install Circuit Interrupters
Ground fault circuit interrupters, also known as GFCIs, are designed to cut off power automatically if they detect an excessive moisture level or a potential short-circuit. GFCIs are installed in bathrooms, kitchens and all electrical outlets outside the house. They are a great way to protect your child from an electric shock.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby
Electrical fires are dangerous to you and your child. Remember, you cannot use water to put out an electrical fire. A carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best tool for fighting electrical fires at home; keep one or more at hand.
The urge to protect your newborn child is your most powerful instinct as a parent. These five tips, if properly followed, will ensure electrical safety in your home.