As expecting parents, veteran parents or upcoming parents, the question is if you have done your duty on baby proofing. You know young children love to get themselves into trouble. They grab dangerous things they aren’t meant to, climb dangerous places, and put everything they see right into their mouths. Around your home, there is a lot of electrical harm you need to safeguard kids from. Even items which are often used, such as cords, electrical switches, and outlets, kids find great interest in items such as these while become aware of their surroundings. Fortunately, they are precautions below which can help parents and guidance childproof their home effectively and prevent young ones from falling a victim of these potentially harmful items. Let us be very honest though, in today’s modern world, there is really no such thing like a complete baby-proofed home. Kids are very disturbing, they will climb things and get into stuff you least expected. You can read all the book, heed every single advice, and buy all the fancy stuff from the baby store but kids will definitely find a way to surprise you. That is why the best solution to baby proofing is just keeping a very watchful eye on kids and keeping them far away from trouble! And after you have secured your environment, it is advisable to talk to your Life Insurance agent concerning Life insurance to enable you to secure your kids financial future. You should also be aware that it is your duty to stop them by looking after them tirelessly, keeping dangerous objects very far away from them, covering up anything that could hurt them, keeping your kids in a safe and secure place. But nowadays, the digital age, the best baby proofing techniques are changing. Televisions gadgets, chargers, and devices have filled our living homes more than ever. So some classics baby proofing methods such as corner covers, childproof drawer locks, bathtub mats, and more are still essential to use but it is good to be aware of what contemporary baby proofing methods you need to also prepare for. Your Tucson electrician of choice brings you a few of these essential child proofing tips.
1. Secure Every TV
Flat screen televisions are very common in homes these days and we are installing them in each room and on all flat surface in homes. But this can pose a big electrical problem to young children who love climbing and grabbing things. So whichever spot you mount your TV, ensure that it is anchored down and secured so they do not tip over and fall. Making use of long cords could put kids at high risk in many ways. There is a probability of them tripping over by these wires and sustaining an injury in the process. Also, they might tug on these cords, causing plugged devices to fall on them. If a child physically damages or chews on a cord the risk of injury is very high. Anchoring your Televisions onto the wall as well as tucking away loose appliance cords both are a good & simple way to keep your children safe. If you wish to cleanup the exposed wiring from your wall mounted TV Sharp Electric the preferred Tucson electrician can help. Reach out to us at 520-245-5153.
2. Keep Laptops Cords & Phone Chargers Out of Reach
Cords are of great harm to kids. But since some of us keep our phones plugged each night or use our laptops while charging them, cords are part of people’s day to day lives. So if you are unable to hide or move the cords out of reach, it’s best to always put away such devices after every use. Lamps should be fixed high up and away from water sources, because water is a natural conductor for electricity. Always avoid connecting appliances into outlets near the bathtub or sink.The same is applicable to extension cords and power strips. Always snake them on top or behind furniture where their little wondering hands cannot reach. It is common for homeowners and parents to leave appliances and devices plugged in for days at a time. However, this behavior could result in electrical accidents when combined with your kids being at home. To conclude unplugging all small appliances as soon as you finish making use of them is what our professional technicians at Sharp Electric in Tucson recommend.
3. Secure Your Furniture
Chairs, desks, tables, shelves, cupboards and other furniture are fun for kids to climb on, though if the furniture is not protected with wall brackets or restraints, they are likely to tip over. Standard baby proofing techniques suggest that parents plug electrical outlets at the upper portions of walls. But the truth is, most times we need to may want to make use of these outlets, and stretching up to the plastic electrical points are tough even for grown-ups, and even if you fix outlets high, they can still pose a threat to you if you do not handle it with care. So to avoid all that, it’s better to use modern outlet covers that has sliding doors. They offer a quicker access to outlets when you need it, cover it gently when you are done with it, and you don’t need to take them off to prevent choking hazards.
4. Keep That Video Monitor Out of Their Reach
Most modern parents make use of baby video monitors rather than the classic audio-only monitors. They are visual, simple to use, and most of them actually have a night vision, cool right? But always remember that video monitor cords are likely to pose a severe danger to kids. On that note, whenever you make use of one, ensure it is set up far from the house, or should be wireless, so children can’t harm themselves. Power strips are good if you have many of you need to operate simultaneously. Considering using rubber outlets and keep kids from pocking their fingers into any outlet.
5. Use Outlet Covers
The openings in outlets are often big enough for a toddlers to stick flat objects into them putting them at risk of electrocution. There is also a chance they could insert metallic objects into unused power outlets. Don’t let kids get into any power outlet by keeping all outlets covered with childproofing caps. Switching the electrical switch off and on might look like an interesting exercise to a kid. But the steady back and forth could create an electric arch because of excessive ware on the electrical contracts.
6. Wrong Wire Connections
Connecting a wire to the wrong terminal can lead to serious electrical problems. This is a common mistake that can be avoided. Please take time to properly examine any connections that you make. Ensure that the hot wire of a circuit connects to the smaller slot (brass color) of the outlet and that the neutral wire connects to the silver terminal on the side of the longer slot of the outlet. The ground wire should be connected to the green screw i.e. the rounded hole of the outlet either at the top or bottom of the outlet.
7. Making a Connection Outside of an Electrical Box
It can be tempting to make a new connection outside of an electrical box during a wiring project such as installing an outdoor light without an electrical box. But never do this! Instead, simply add a junction box to the new installation location; install the box and then connect the wires inside of it. This will contain sparks and heat and keep the connection from any damage.
Generally, it is best to have some experience to be able to work with electricity. If you’ve never worked with electricity before, then you are putting yourself, family and home at a huge risk by trying to handle electrical work and repairs on your own. It is better to call professionals such as a local electrical contractor in Tucson, Arizona for your residential electrical work like electrical troubleshooting, installing lights, and ceiling fans.
