|
Electrical
Safety
Exposure
to electricity can cause burns, muscle and organ damage, and in
many cases, death. Taking the necessary steps to prevent access
to the dangers described below, will greatly minimize the potential
for a serious injury to your children.
Floor
lamps should be either removed or secured as they can easily
be pulled over.
Baby
Monitors should not be left on the floor. Place the monitor
on a dresser or other furniture and run the cord to be plugged
into an outlet, behind furniture. If an outlet is not available
behind furniture try:
•
Rearranging the room
• Have an additional outlet installed by an electrician
• Utilize an outlet strip from an adjacent outlet to furniture
and secure cord with permanent outlet cover and wire duct
NEED
A NEW MONITOR?...
Portable
fans should be removed or relocated
away from your child’s access. Fan screens will not prevent
children from getting their fingers near fan blades.
Portable
heaters should be removed as they are very heavy and can be
easily knocked over. In addition, most heater surfaces get hot
enough to cause serious burns. Safe & Sound recommends installing
electric baseboard that can be mounted to the wall as an alternative.
Humidifiers
should not be placed on the floor because the cord is accessible.
Place them on top of furniture and drape the cord behind the furniture.
Lamp
Notes : Make sure all lamps have bulbs in the light socket
to prevent electrical shock hazard. Check lamp cords for any frayed
cordage. If frayed, replace cord and/or lamp.
Wall
sconces that have external cords. Cords should be placed in
a wire track to prevent child from pulling on cord, or getting
their heads wrapped in the cords.
Loose
wires on floors should be secured in a wire track along the
baseboard.
Click
here for more detailed Electrical Safety information.
Window
Safety
In
the winter months when most windows are not in use, always have
your windows locked. Periodically check to see if the lock mechanism
is working properly.
During
the months when the windows are opened to provide fresh air, especially
in the children’s bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as accessible
windows on the second (third, etc.) floor, windows should be secured,
and if unlocked, should either have a window barrier installed
or should be limited to open no more than 4”.
With
either recommendation, it is important that these safety precautions
can be quickly disengaged in case of a fire.
Click
here for more detailed Window Safety information.
Miscellaneous
Rugs
- Area rugs should be stationary so your children will not slip
and fall. This is especially important when the rug is on a hard
floor surface such as tile. Use rubber backing on all area rugs
to reduce slippage.
HVAC
Floor Registers - Floor registers are typically not secured
and your child will soon learn to simply lift the vent. Inside
the duct are extremely sharp edges from the duct work as well
as foreign matter that has inadvertently fallen inside. Secure
the floor registers so they cannot be easily removed by your children.
HVAC
Wall Registers - Check every wall register by carefully running
your finger against the fins of the register. If the register
is sharp replace or cover register to prevent finger injuries
to children.
|
