When winter temperatures force families to spend more time inside, seize the opportunity to teach children about indoor electrical safety.
Here are some important lessons that Bandera Electric Cooperative recommends sharing with your kids:
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. Never sit, stand or attempt to walk through water that is in contact with an electric appliance or toy. Teach children to recognize and avoid risks in areas including bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and around pools, where water and electricity could make contact.
Electronics and accessories must be handled with care. Younger children should ask for help when they want to use an electronic device.
Never stick fingers or objects into toasters or other electric appliances or into outlets or extension cords.
Teach your children not to charge their cell phones under their pillows while they sleep because phones can overheat and catch fire.
If you have toddlers around the house, childproof your home using these tips:
Childproof outlets with simple outlet plugs or tamper-resistant outlets, which have a shutter system that only accepts electric plugs.
Keep cords out of sight so that children are not tempted to play with them. Holders, spools, and clips can help you do this, or you can get creative with twist ties and rubber bands to keep them out of reach.
Never leave chargers or extension cords plugged in after use. A curious child may put a cord into his or her mouth and suffer an electric burn or wrap it around his or her neck and cause strangulation.
Supervise children closely when they play with electronic or battery-operated toys.
Repair or dispose of damaged electronics and cords.
Use ground-fault circuit interrupters to detect and prevent shocks. You should have GFCIs anywhere that water and electricity may meet, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.