Electrical safety for kids is one of the safety topics parents should let their kids know especially in their homes. Electricity is one of the things being used in homes. It powers mostly everything from light to electric toys and so on. Parents should also know that electricity can pose a severe risk to kids if they’re not handled properly. The best thing Every Parent Should do is to teach their kids the appropriate electrical safety they need for their well-being. In this article, we have taken our time to compile the following guide on the things the parents need to know and what they should educate their kids on concerning electricity and electrical safety.
Understanding what electricity means.
For kids to understand electrical safety better, there is a need to explain to them what it means and what other components that go together with electricity.
Explaining electricity to kids.
- Tell the kids that electricity is made up of super small things called electrons. The electrons cannot be seen with the physical eye. The electrons have energy and they aim to move from one place to another.
- Explain to them that the electrons need to move from one place to another, and if there is no wire, they cannot move. Tell them that the wire is like a road or a highway that the electrons travel on. And because of the movement of the electrons on the wire, they provided energy to light our homes and our toys.
- Tell them that electrical safety has to do with anything that will make the electricity bring light to our homes or our toys without making someone get injured or choked. Electricity is very powerful, and when the electrons pass through our body instead of the Wire. It can hurt us so we need to do things to avoid getting hurt.
Electrical safety rules to teach your kids.
Every Parent Should endeavour to teach basic electrical safety to their kids. It is very essential for preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of the kids. Below are some of the fundamental rules to follow.
1.Tell the kids about the outlets.
The outlets in the home are not for playing. They are not toys so they should not get close to them. They are important to power the lights and appliances. The only thing that should be seen in the power outlet is the plug. They should not bring any other thing by themselves to the outlets.
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2.Talk to them about handling electrical appliances.
Plugging an appliance into an outlet is mainly the work of an adult and not a kid unless an adult tells them to do so. Teach them that they can unplug the Wires by firmly holding the hard plastic parts(plug) and pulling straight out. Tell them not to yank the cord as this may damage the cord and even cause harm to them. The kids should not tangle the cords but rather keep them tidy. They should not allow the cords to be under the carpet, rugs, or furniture. Let the kids know that all wires should be unplugged from the power outlet when not in use. For example, after using the toaster or the clipper, they should unplug it from the power outlet.
3.Teach them about power lines.
Certain activities may likely expose a kid to a Powerline. Those activities include climbing a tree, flying a kite, and getting in contact with a fallen wire. Tell them that they should not climb any tree closer to a Powerline. And when they want to fly the kite, they should go to a big open field. Whenever they notice falling wire in their path, they should stay away from the wire and not match it with their leg
4.Teach them about safety warning signs
There are quite a number of safety signs relating to electrical safety. One of them is danger signs. Tell them whenever they see such a sign they should stay away from such an area. Some locations likely to have such signs are substations, electrical distribution panels,s, etc.
5.Tell them not to use electrical appliances with water.
As you know water and electricity do not mix at all. They are a bad Mix. Kids should also know this too. They should avoid using their phones, hair dryers near the sink, bathtubs, pools, or during rain.
6.Tell them to ask for help whenever they notice that their cords look damaged.
Kids should not try to repair any of the broken cords on their own. Tell them to report any matter concerning broken cords or a spark to you.
Talking to kids requires effort and it should be a continuous activity. They need reminders for them to continue to remember what they need to be doing. Sometimes kids learn by what they see an adult doing. So, there is a need for parents to monitor their actions in the presence of their kids and ensure they’re doing the right things in front of their kids.
Below are some of the electrical safety parents should imbibe and do in the presence of their kids.
1.Lead by example
Ensure that you follow and do all that you are saying to your kids else they will not listen to you. Most times, what the kids see their parents do is what they end up doing. For example, if you are careful about keeping the cords tidy, they will follow you and do the same.
2.Bring fun into the electrical safety.
Make it fun or a game thing to reward your kids whenever they notice a broken cord or wire in the home, and they should report it to you. Ensure there is a reward system for them to remember such an action.
3.Make sure that you supervise appliances yourself.
Don’t allow the kids to use any appliances until an adult has supervised the appliances and checked if it is in good condition or not. Inspect their toys and all equipment that the kids will be exposed to.
4.Know first aid.
As their parents, you should know first aid and be prepared to render any help in case of emergency.
Conclusion
Electricity safety for kids is very important and should not be a topic to be joked about. Every adult or parent be careful enough to offer protection to their kids by making sure that the above electrical safety tips are being imbibed by the kids. So that the kids can be adequately protected against electricity danger while at home and in the way.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
