3 Fail-Safe Options to Childproof Electrical Amenities in Residential Space

Toddlers have infinite magnitudes of curiosity.

If a parent leaves them unsupervised, they will find ways to explore every crevice of the house.

And their fingers will eventually find a natural outlet in… your electrical outlets.

Not good news.

But parents already know this. They also know that it’s impossible to supervise a child 24×7.

There is work, there are appointments, and there are many social commitments.

And they cannot explain electrical safety to a toddler who doesn’t understand language.

Yes, older children who understand language, aged 4-12, can be taught the basics. But even then, parents would prefer if their home had childproofed electrical accessories and amenities. It would give them so much more mental calm.

This post presents 3 ways builders, property developers, architects, and homeowners can set up a childproof electrical system for their residents and tenants.

Modular Switches and their Childproof Cover Plates

Modular switches own the market.

Not only do they fulfill the aesthetic side of the electrical system, but they also maintain child safety at home.

Their cover plates are made of microbe-resistant material to safeguard against infection.
The cover plate’s screws are hidden and it needs a specialized process to open. This prevents children from snagging skin on the screws, prying the plate open, and shocking themselves.
Modular electrical switches are installed with shuttered sockets. What are shuttered sockets? They are a mechanism that automatically closes sockets after the plugtop’s pins are disconnected. This prevents toddlers from inserting their fingers into those live contacts.

So, if you don’t want your residents to go through the hassle of buying and placing electrical socket covers at every electrical outlet in the house, modular switches are the go-to option.

Don’t Forget the Residual Current Circuit Breakers

Sometimes, despite all the precautions taken, and despite all the protective switchgear installed, a child can still put their fingers on a live wire.

No one wants this eventuality without another precaution in place.

And that’s what residual current circuit breakers are for. They are an electrical apparatus that instantly diverts or turns off a sub-circuit’s electrical current in the event of an “earthing.” An earthing is when current is redirected through an unsafe, heterogeneous medium such as water… or a child’s body.

Also called ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in the U.S., these electrical safety accessories are a necessity in every household in the country.

Install Distribution Panels and Boxes at a Height

Our distribution boards organize household electric supply into manageable miniature circuit breakers and their sub-circuits.

It is paramount that these are installed at a safe height which toddlers and children cannot reach. A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) “trips” a sub-circuit when it detects an unstable current and is a necessity in every household.

But, sometimes, they can malfunction and in the event that a child handles them in the wrong manner, it could result in a hazardous situation. So, it’s best to use practical ergonomics to safeguard the little ones.

Parents would also do well to educate their children continuously on the value of electrical safety. They cover or hide all exposed extension boxes and power strips. They can explain the taboo of mixing water with live wires. They can explain the stupidity of placing wet hands on electrical switches.

But, beyond that, it is the duty of a responsible property owner to set up the best electrical safety infrastructure possible to reduce the risk of electrocution to almost zero.

Precision Electricals has a multifaceted range of modern domestic electrical devices that are both shock-proof and aesthetically pleasing for your living space. We are modular switches manufacturers who also sell protective switchgear in bulk to builders, architects, real estate developers, and homeowners who need it.