Is your child's bedroom an electrical danger zone?

It should be a safe refuge but the average child's bedroom in the UK is buzzing with more electrical gadgets than ever before creating a potential danger zone.

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After a hard day at school your child comes home and heads upstairs to their room, they turn on their lamp, fire up their computer, connect their printer or scanner; set their mobile on charge and switch on their television or radio. What you may think are daily standard tasks could potentially be dangerous electrical safety risks.

Research commissioned by the Electrical Safety Council in the UK in 2007 has found that;

• 63% of 4 - 11 year olds now have their own TV in their bedroom.
• 48% have games consoles or other electrical toys in their room.
• 38% were revealed to have a mobile phone charging in their room.
• 34% had their own computer set up in their bedroom.

In the UK around 30 people are killed and thousands injured through electric shock or electrical fire.

So what can you do?

• Avoid trailing electrical wires - not only are these a trip hazard but they are more likely to become damaged potentially exposing live wires.


• Check plugs, sockets and cables regularly for signs of damage or scorching.


• Get into the habit of switching off electric games, computers, TVs and other electric appliances before you go to bed.


• Never put drinks or other liquids on or near electric appliances. Water and electricity are a lethal combination.


• Don't let children touch electric equipment while they are wet, e.g. before drying-off after a bath or shower.


• Make sure children understand how to use electricity and electric appliances responsibly and safely.




Source:



Electricity Safety Council

Article and tips above courtesy of www.esc.org.uk
Committed to reducing deaths and injuries through electrical accidents at home.