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How to Childproof Your Outlets
Berkeley Electric • Aug 03, 2020
Tips to Keep Your Outlets Childproofed
Young children are naturally curious and inquisitive about their surroundings. Unfortunately, this means that they don’t always know or understand the dangers of outlets. To have full peace of mind that your kids won’t stick any fingers or objects in your outlets, we strongly encourage you to childproof your outlets. There are three options for childproofing your outlets that we recommend: outlet plugs, sliding covers, and box covers.
Outlet Plugs
Outlet plugs are an easy, inexpensive way to cover up your outlets. Made of plastic, they can be inserted into any outlets and come in a variety of sizes. What’s nice is that you can take these with you when you travel, so your outlets will also always be protected. The one issue with these is that there is a potential for a choking hazard, especially for very young children who are prone to putting small objects in their mouth. Older outlets are also sometimes loose, which can make it easy for a child to pry the plugs out. If you do choose outlet plugs, check your outlet first to see how stable it is. Then, make sure that you purchase plugs that are too big for an infant to put in his or her mouth.
Sliding Covers
Sliding covers self close once a plug has been removed from the outlet. Fairly simple to install, these are a great alternative for those who are worried that traditional outlet plugs will pose a choking hazard for their child. There is virtually no choking hazard here, and it offers a more permanent solution for childproofing.
Box Covers
Box covers are exactly what they sound like; a little box on a hinge is used to cover up outlets, which protects your child from them. There are many different sizes available, so if you have a small or large outlet, you can still have it childproofed. Once you are ready to use the outlets, you simply lift up the box over. There is no choking risk with this option and you can choose when to have outlets open or close.
Berkeley Electric offers a number of residential and commercial electrical solutions. If you are looking to childproof your outlets and need help installing these products or to ensure that your outlets are safe and stable, give us a call today.
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