Leaving your children in the care of a babysitter can be a stressful experience. You have prepared the babysitter by going over instructions on the kids’ routines, where to find needed supplies, and important contact information. Did you also prepare your home? With a little preparation you can help ensure your children’s safety and make your babysitter’s life easier. Safe Electricity has tips to help you prevent electrical accidents in your home.
Your home’s electrical system should be in good working order. Looking for and repairing electrical problems is an important step in preventing electrical accidents in your home. Cracked outlet covers and discolored outlets and switches are indications of electrical problems. These problems can lead to fires and electric shocks. Contact a professional to have your home inspected and repaired.
These additional tips from Safe Electricity can help increase safety awareness, eliminate electrical hazards, and put your mind at ease:
- Repair or dispose of damaged electronics and cords.
- Put cords out of sight so that children are not tempted to play with them.
- Use outlet covers or tamper resistant receptacles. Small fingers can easily fit into sockets, and curious children may poke objects into outlets. A tamper resistant outlet has a shutter system that only accepts electric plugs.
- Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection to prevent shocks. GFCIs detect and prevent dangerous situations where an electric shock could occur. You should have GFCIs anywhere that water and electricity may meet—such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
- Have a fire extinguisher that is rated for electrical fires. Be sure your babysitter knows where it is located and how to use it.
- Have smoke alarms, and be sure their batteries work.
- Give your babysitter a tour of the home so they are familiar with exits.
- Be prepared for power outages. Have flashlights on hand, and let your babysitter know where they are.
- Have a list of emergency phone numbers that includes your utility.
- Look into available safety classes. Not-for-profits, hospitals, and community centers in your area may offer classes to prepare people for situations they may encounter while babysitting.
You have gone through the time and effort to ensure that your children are in capable hands while you are away. With awareness and preparation, you can also help make sure that they are in the comfort of a safe home. For more information on electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.
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