How To Childproof Electrical Outlets in Hanson, MA

Hanson, Massachusetts, is a wonderful place to raise children. Maybe that explains why, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 40% of the city’s 3,000-plus households have at least one child under 18. If you’re a parent here, you will appreciate how safe it is to walk around with your kids in Hanson, but you will also need to do your part indoors.  Knowing how to childproof electrical outlets is a great example of how a small step in home safety for children can make a big difference. Check out our childproofing tips below or call Crowe Electric for electrical services in Hanson, MA.

Invest in Electrical Outlet Safety Covers and Plugs

From the second your children start crawling around, they will naturally be curious about everything within reach. If you don’t have electrical outlets covered up, it might only be a matter of time before curious little fingers touch one or attempt to stick a toy inside one. If you’re a parent, grandparent, or childcare provider in Hanson, MA, you need to know how to childproof electrical outlets. You might start by buying electrical outlet safety covers and plugs. Covers are electrical outlet protectors that fit tightly over outlets to cut children’s access, and plugs fit right into them. Childproofing electrical sockets with these useful covers and plugs will immediately make your Hanson, MA, home safer for children.

Purchase Power Strip Covers To Childproof Electrical Outlets in Hanson, MA

While covers and plugs are vital when taking electrical outlet safety precautions, you don’t have to stop there. Many homeowners in Hanson, MA, use at least a couple of power strips. If these are in living rooms and other high-traffic areas where young children spend time, you’ll want to learn how to childproof electrical outlets on the strips themselves. If these power strips aren’t necessary, consider putting them away until your children are older and no longer tempted to play with them. At the very least, pick up power strip covers to put over them to ensure they don’t put your kids at risk. These covers will prevent children from putting anything into the outlets on these strips and limit their access.

Tuck Away Electrical Wiring for Outlets Behind Walls

Do you have electrical wiring spilling out of any of your home’s outlets? You may have an outlet in a baby’s nursery that you quickly installed in the days before their birth but never got around to finishing. Maybe it’s in a bathroom that you’re renovating. Whatever the case, you should not have any wiring sticking out at all. You’ll want to be sure that this wiring is adequately insulated. Then, you’ll need to tuck it behind your walls to stop children from seeing it and trying to pull it out further.

Double-check Outlets Near Sinks and Other Water Sources Have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Like in other cities in Massachusetts, Hanson homeowners can stay safe by ensuring they have electrical outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters – better known as GFCIs. Expert electricians recommend that you install these outlets near sinks, bathtubs, and other water sources for peace of mind. GFCIs are essential safety devices that shut off the electricity flowing to the outlet if they sense a ground fault. These faults may occur when an electrical accident happens in a home. If the GFCI outlet doesn’t interrupt the circuit, the ungrounded electricity could flow through a person, so it’s a life-and-death matter. Having outlets with GFCIs near water sources will reduce the chances of electrocution in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and unfinished basements.

Provide the Necessary Supervision When Children Are Near Electrical Outlets

You can spend as much time as you want learning how to childproof electrical outlets in Hanson, MA. However, one tiny oversight — such as removing an outlet safety cover and forgetting to put it back on — may cause a tragedy. Keep a close eye on your children when playing near outlets to minimize accidents.  As they grow older, talk to your kids about the dangers of outlets so that they don’t get too close.

Understand How To Childproof Electrical Outlets in Hanson, MA, To Keep Your Children Safe

Now that you know how to childproof electrical outlets, your Hanson, MA, home can become a safer spot for playing and growing children.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment. You might also want to find out about the common causes of sparking outlets and contact Crowe Electric for repairs if you ever see this dangerous problem.