Wiktor Wise
Babies and young children are often attracted to electrical cords, which poses a serious safety risk. To prevent accidents, it is important to keep cords out of sight and reach. This can be achieved through various methods such as using furniture to block access, cord shorteners, covers, straps, wraps, protectors, and outlet boxes. In addition to these physical barriers, it is crucial to educate older children about electrical safety and set rules for using appliances. For a more permanent solution, an electrician can be consulted to add outlets or upgrade them to grounded three-prong outlets, reducing the number of exposed cords.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electrical outlet covers | Plastic socket plugs, outlet boxes, self-closing outlet covers, power strip covers |
| Cord protectors | Cord shorteners, covers, straps, wraps, protectors |
| Power strip covers | Plastic electric outlet covers, power board |
| Other methods | Hiding cords behind furniture, using cord wrappers to shorten the cable, rearranging furniture to hide cords |
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What You'll Learn
Use furniture to block access to electrical cords
Babies and young children are naturally curious and will try to explore their surroundings. This makes them particularly vulnerable to electrical cords, which they might try to chew on or play with. To prevent this, you can use furniture to block access to electrical cords.
First, go through your home and identify which electrical outlets are exposed. Then, rearrange your furniture to block access to these outlets. For example, you could push couches, chairs, and end tables up against the walls to hide electrical outlets and prevent your baby from accessing them.
You can also use furniture designed to hide cords, with holes in the back to run the cords along the walls behind them. This will help to keep cords away from little hands and create a safer environment for your baby.
In addition to blocking access to electrical cords, it is important to anchor heavy furniture to the wall to prevent it from tipping over and causing injury.
By using furniture strategically, you can effectively block your baby's access to electrical cords and create a safer space for them to explore and play.
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Use cord shorteners, covers, straps, wraps, and protectors
Babies and young children are often attracted to electrical cords, which can pose a serious safety risk. To prevent accidents, it is important to use cord shorteners, covers, straps, wraps, and protectors.
One option is to use cord shorteners, which allow you to store excess cord length inside a receptacle that your child cannot access. This prevents babies from tugging or pulling on the cord and reduces the risk of tripping or access to the electrical outlet. Cord covers, such as duct cord covers, can also be used to hide cords and prevent tripping. These covers allow you to string multiple cords through a silicone or plastic sleeve, keeping them organised and less appealing to children.
Cord protectors are another essential tool to safeguard your child and your electrical cords. They prevent damage to cords from bending, biting, or other forms of tampering. This also ensures that your child is protected from any potential hazards associated with damaged or frayed cords.
Outlet boxes are another effective solution, especially for larger appliances that are permanently plugged in, such as washers, dryers, televisions, and refrigerators. These boxes completely cover the outlet and cord, providing a secure barrier. Look for outlet boxes with a two-button release system to make it challenging for children to open.
Additionally, power strip covers are designed to accommodate thick cords and prevent children from tugging or unplugging them. These covers are typically made of plastic and have a long slit for cords to pass through while covering outlets and power buttons.
By utilising these cord shorteners, covers, straps, wraps, and protectors, you can effectively minimise electrical hazards and create a safer environment for your baby.
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Purchase power strip covers
Power strips can expose your baby to an excessive amount of electricity in one place. To prevent your power strip from becoming a dangerous toy, you should purchase a power strip cover. Power strip covers are generally made of plastic and have a long slit on one side. The slit allows the cords to come through while covering the outlets and power button.
The Safety 1st Power Strip Cover is a popular choice for baby-proofing. It can be easily adjusted to cover the full power strip, including the plugs, and can be used on the floor or mounted on the wall. It can also be customized to the number of outlets plugged into your wall, allowing for full use of the outlet. This means that adults can still turn off extension cords and plug/unplug things without having to take the cover apart.
The Safety 1st Power Strip Cover is sturdy and secure, and customers have noted that it holds up well over time. It can fit over most standard power strips up to 13.5 inches in length. It is also available in white.
While power strip covers are a great solution, they do have some drawbacks. Some customers have found that the power strip cover's cord length is too short, preventing them from unplugging their devices. Others have found the design to be bulky and ugly.
In addition to power strip covers, there are other ways to protect your children from electrical cords. Cord protectors, for example, keep cords safe from children who may try to bend, bite, or spoil the cord. Cord sleeves are another option, as they are much harder to remove and do not pose a choking hazard if they are removed.
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Install outlet boxes
Installing outlet boxes is an effective way to baby-proof your home and protect your child from electrical hazards. Outlet boxes are plastic covers that completely conceal the outlet and cord, preventing babies from accessing them. They are especially useful for larger appliances like washers, dryers, televisions, and refrigerators, as they eliminate the need to constantly plug and unplug the appliance.
When choosing an outlet box, look for one with a two-button release system, which will make it difficult for your child to open. Additionally, opt for a box with enough space to accommodate the appliance's cord. While outlet boxes are commonly used for outdoor electrical outlets, they can be challenging to find for baby-proofing purposes as they are designed to keep out the weather rather than children.
To install outlet boxes, follow these simple steps:
- Purchase outlet boxes that meet the specified criteria and are suitable for baby-proofing.
- Gather the necessary tools, such as a screwdriver, and ensure you have the correct type and number of outlet boxes for your appliances.
- Remove any existing outlet covers or faceplates from the outlets you wish to baby-proof.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the outlet box. This may involve screwing or snapping the box into place, ensuring a secure fit.
- Test the outlet box by plugging in the appliance and ensuring the box is properly concealing the outlet and cord.
- Repeat the process for any additional outlets you wish to baby-proof.
By installing outlet boxes, you can effectively prevent your child from accessing electrical outlets and cords, reducing the risk of electrical shocks, burns, and other potential hazards. Remember to conduct periodic inspections to ensure the outlet boxes remain secure and functional over time.
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Use plastic socket plugs
Plastic socket plugs are a simple, cheap, and common solution to baby-proofing electrical outlets. They are inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk. They are easy to use, plugging directly into the outlet, and they cover the outlet so that nothing else can be inserted.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method. Firstly, you will need to remove the plug every time you want to use the outlet, and there is a risk you may forget to replace it, leaving the outlet exposed. Secondly, plastic socket plugs can become choking hazards if left lying around, as babies tend to put things in their mouths. Finally, as babies grow into toddlers, they may learn to remove the plugs, which could lead to a risk of electric shock if the plug is only partially removed.
To mitigate these risks, you can opt for plastic outlet covers with a locking mechanism. These covers have buttons that need to be pushed simultaneously to remove them, which is beyond the motor skills of a toddler.
In addition to using plastic socket plugs, you can also rearrange your furniture to hide electrical outlets and cords. This reduces the number of outlets and cords that need to be baby-proofed.
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Frequently asked questions
Hiding electrical cords from babies can be done by rearranging furniture to block access to them. You can also use cord shorteners, covers, straps, wraps, protectors, and raceways to conceal them.
There are various products available for hiding electrical cords from babies, such as:
- Cord Cover Raceway Kit
- Sleek Socket Ultra-Thin Outlet Concealer with Cord Concealer Kit
- Baby Safety Outlet Cover Box
- Cord protectors
- Power strip covers
- Plastic socket plugs
Here are some tips to help hide electrical cords from babies:
- Use furniture to block access to cords.
- Utilize cord shorteners, covers, straps, and wraps to keep cords out of sight and reach.
- Install power outlets near entertainment hubs to easily tuck cords away.
- Minimize the number of wires and cords by unplugging unused appliances.
Yes, instead of hiding electrical cords, you can use outlet guards, outlet boxes, or GFCI outlets to prevent babies from accessing them. You can also teach older children about electrical safety and set rules for using appliances.
Babies and young children may be attracted to electrical cords due to their resemblance to strings. They may chew on cords, causing electrical shocks and burns, or pull on cords, leading to accidents with heavy appliances. Exposed cords also pose a tripping hazard.
