Children are often fascinated by electricity. Whether it is a spectacular lightning storm or simply the marvel of flicking a switch and having the light turn on, electricity can be interesting and puzzling to kids and adults alike. Unfortunately, electricity has the potential to burn or to kill those who do not know how to use it safely. Teach your children important electricity safety rules to keep them from being electrocuted.
Electricity and Water Safety
Teach your children that electricity and water do not mix. Water conducts electricity and can cause electrocution. Don't ever let your kids bathe while an electrical appliance, such as a hair dryer or a curling iron, is plugged in nearby. Teach them to never plug in or to unplug any appliances while they are wet or standing in water. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) in all your bathrooms. These shut off the circuit if a plugged-in appliance gets wet.
Plugs and Outlets
Teach your young children to never touch an electrical outlet. Place outlet covers in all unused outlets if you have babies or toddlers. Tell older children about the electrocution hazards of sticking any object, including their fingers, in outlets. Once your children are old enough, teach them how to safely plug in and unplug appliances. Show them how to grasp the plug carefully and to not pull a plug out by its cord. Tell them that if they see a damaged or frayed cord or if they are unable to fit a plug into an outlet, they should leave it alone and get an adult to help them.
Power Lines
Teach your children to stay away from utility poles and to not climb them or play on them. If your children see a downed power line, warn them to stay far away from it. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that the electricity from a downed line can travel through the ground and electrocute a person standing nearby. Teach children to look for power lines before climbing trees or flying kites. Teach them to never place a ladder or other tall object anywhere near a power line. If a toy gets caught in a power line, tell your kids to ask an adult to call the electric company to retrieve it. Teach your kids to stay away from any places that have signs warning against high voltage.
Lightning
Teach your children lightning safety tips to avoid electrocution during thunderstorms. If you or your children are swimming and you hear thunder or see lightning, leave the water immediately. If you hear or see lightning, go indoors or seek shelter in a vehicle if at all possible. If you are stuck outside and lightning is nearby, the National Lightning Safety Institute recommends crouching down in an area away from trees, metal objects and other people. It is not safe to go back in the pool or back outdoors until at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunderclap was observed. Teach children to call 911 if anyone is struck by lightning.
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