Childproofed homes and quality-perfected baby equipment have become the hallmark of modern millennium parenting. Hence, child safety standards have come a long way in the past few decades. It may seem like we have gone a bit overboard with safety stuff. But remember it’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, especially when it comes to your child’s safety. Electrical safety training for kids can save their lives and keep them out of the emergency room. Injuries involving electricity can lead to severe damage to organs and even death, according to healthychildren.org.
To prevent your children from being shocked or electrocuted, Hospitality Health ER has some tips for training your kids about electrical safety. Believe it or not, you can begin training them as early as crawling age.
1. Steer Clear of Electrical Sockets and Cords
You can train even your little crawlers to keep safe. And yes, you can use those plastic plugs to keep little children from sticking things in the socket. But, you should also teach them to stay away from possible electrical dangers. Watch them closely as they explore. The second they get close to a cord, socket, or wire, tell them “No!” and redirect them elsewhere. For kids 4 and up who can understand directions, tell them in simple terms that cords, wires, and sockets are dangerous. Explain that playing with cords or sticking things in sockets can wind up hurting them.
2. Electrical Devices Should Be Kept Away From Water
Shocks, burns, and electrocution in the home are often caused by using electricity near water. Talk to your children about the dangerous combination of electricity and water. Water that comes into contact with electricity from devices like blow dryers, irons, and even cellphones can cause shocks and electrocution. Parents should teach children to tell an adult if an electrical device falls into water. Adults should read up on how to properly remove electrical appliances from water.
3. Avoid Fallen Wires, Broken Wires, or Sparking Wires
Teach your kids the dangers of electrical wires, especially those that are broken, fallen, or sparking. Wires can still be dangerous even if there are no visible sparks. Lastly, parents should teach their kids how to dial 911 for help if they spot an electrical hazard or if someone has been shocked or electrocuted.
For tips on how NOT to treat burns, read Hospitality Health ER’s blog here. You can also find a wealth of parenting and health blogs by visiting our website here. We are a top-rated emergency room in Tyler, Texas with virtually no wait times and knowledgeable ER doctors.