When you first brought home your squirming little bundle of sunshine, keeping them safe seemed reasonably simple. Correctly install your car seat, lay them on their back to sleep in their bumper-less crib and never drop them! Keeping baby away from choking hazards was easy, since they only drank liquids and stayed where you put them when they were set down.
But NOW your baby has grown into an intrepid toddler! And as charming as their uncoordinated first steps may be, they also herald the beginning of a much more dangerous time in your child’s development. Toddlers are FULL of seemingly limitless curiosity.
Your child may also be teething – which means that everything that fits WILL find its way into his or her mount – including unprotected power cords and plug ends.
As they learn to walk, toddlers often – well, toddle. They sway from side to side and often lose their balance and will grab anything close by and take it down with them. Easily tipped over large appliances such as TVs should be bolted securely to the wall or placed in a stable base tall enough to prevent your toddler tipping it over during a fall.
The best piece of advice for baby/child proofing your home is to change your perspective and see your home from the perspective of a toddler. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. Do you see any electrical outlets that look like fun to stuff forks in? Or any cords that look tasty that would feel great on your gums?
Electrical outlets should all be covered by furniture or electrical outlet covers for safety.
Outlet plugs can keep children safe when nothing is plugged in, but what about when you’re using the outlet? Some outlet covers are designed with this in mind, and feature a box that covers the entire outlet plate while allowing room for a plug. Cords feed through holes in one side, letting you keep electronics plugged in without making the outlet vulnerable. There are similar covers designed for power strips.
If you have cords running along walls or across floors, they need to be modified with child safety in mind as well. Babies and children can pull or chew on those cords, and they’re even a tripping hazard for adults. Use rubber or plastic strips called duct cord covers to conceal these cords under smooth humps that protect the cords and make walking safe.
For an added sense of security, contact A1 Electrical and we will be happy to come and conduct and electrical safety walk through of your property to point out and address any potential toddler electrical safety issues.
