Infants are naturally curious, and with each age comes safety issues. Parents must be vigilant about baby-proofing their homes. An estimated 3,900 injuries associated with electrical outlets are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. "Approximately a third of these injuries occur when young children insert metal objects, such as hair pins and keys, into the outlet, resulting in electric shock or burn injuries to the hand or finger," according to the commission's website.
Warning
Children under 6 years of age are at the highest risk for electrical accidents, according to the website Electrician PDQ. An estimated 89 percent of electrical injuries happen to children in this age group, according to the website, and toddlers make up about half of the victims. Injuries can range from a mild shock to serious electrical burns or fatal injuries. "A child's thin skin combined with their little hands and fingers covered with saliva is a recipe for pediatric burns and scars; saliva is as excellent conductor of electricity," the website reports.
Considerations
Keys are a common object children stick into electrical outlets. Other objects that infants can get into trouble with around electrical outlets include eating utensils, scissors, pens, screws, hairpins and tweezers.
Anticipate
Babies start to crawl at 8 months of age on average, according to the website Baby Center. Because that is the average age, some children begin to crawl earlier. Plan accordingly and baby-proof electrical outlets well before your child reaches this stage. Put safety plugs or plates on outlets before your infant begins to motorize around your home.
Standard Covers
Plastic outlet plugs were once the standard to cover electrical outlets. They are suggested for outlets that are normally left unused, according to the website TotSafe. One problem with this type of device is an adult can forget to reinsert it after using the outlet. Cases have been reported where infants have pulled out the plastic plugs, the website reports. Once pulled out, not only is the outlet open for mischievous hands, but the plugs are also a choking hazard.
Press-to-Remove Outlet Plugs
Newer plastic electrical outlet plugs are designed to stop infants and children from pulling them out by adding an extra safety measure. On the sides of these sturdy plastic plugs are generally two spots that need to be pressed or squeezed before the plug is released. They are more expensive than the small plastic plugs but offer extra safety.
Sliding Outlet Covers
Outlet covers are another option for keeping small hands out of electrical outlets. These require installation, which should only take a few minutes, Once installed, you need two hands to use the outlet: one to slide the cover to reveal the outlet and the other to plug in the appliance or product that requires an electrical plug. When you unplug the appliance or product, the cover automatically springs back to cover the electrical plug outlet.
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