Babies are little bundles of energy and curiosity from the moment they start crawling. And you know what area piques their interest more than anything? The electrical outlets and dangling cords around the house! To a baby, those holes and wires look like the most fascinating toys to grab and explore.
As a parent, having your little one get shocked or injured by household electrical hazards is one of the scariest thoughts. But don’t worry, with some simple childproofing measures, you can eliminate those risks and breathe easier. This guide covers all the tips and tricks for baby-proofing outlets, cords, power strips and more.
Because let’s face it – as adorable as babies are, we don’t need them turning the home into an electrified playground. One tiny finger in the wrong outlet could lead to a seriously scary situation. So it’s better to get ahead of the game and be baby-proof before your newly mobile munchkin starts treating the electrical setup like their own personal jungle gym!
Securing Electrical Outlets
When it comes to baby-proofing, securing electrical outlets should be priority number one. Those little plastic socket holes are like siren calls to curious infant fingers. And we all know that electricity and tiny explorers don’t mix well at all.
The good news is that there are plenty of simple, affordable ways to cover up outlets and eliminate that shocking hazard entirely. Even better, most of these solutions can be implemented in just a few minutes without any major installation hassle.
Tamper-Resistant Outlets
If your home was built or renovated in the last decade or so, you may already have a big head start on outlet safety. As of 2008, the National Electrical Code requires all new residential construction to use tamper-resistant electrical outlets. These outlets have spring-loaded shutters or other mechanisms that block entry unless both slots are inserted simultaneously by a plug.
While not 100% childproof, tamper-resistant outlets create a solid first line of defense against little fingers getting into trouble. Have an electrician inspect your outlets to verify if you’ve got these safety models installed throughout.
Outlet Caps and Covers
For older homes without the tamper-resistant outlets, outlet caps and covers offer an easy way to completely remove the electrical risk. These simple plastic inserts slot right into outlets to seal off the plug holes, secured by flexible outward prongs.
Outlet caps are cheap and effective, though they do need to be removed whenever you want to actually use the outlet. Slide covers create a more permanent barrier that can stay in place while allowing access for plugs when needed.
In-Use Outlet Covers
What about those outlets that already have plugs inserted and cords running out? You’ll want to pick up some in-use outlet cover boxes that fit right over the entire outlet while allowing the cord to safely pass through. These inexpensive plastic cases snap into place to prevent access to the live outlet.
By taking a few minutes to properly cover all outlets in your home, you can rest assured that your baby’s curiosity won’t lead to any accidental electrical encounters as they start crawling around.
Managing Electrical Cords and Cables
Of course, simply covering up outlets is just part of the electrical childproofing battle. Those loose, dangly cords snaking across floors and baseboards are like baby magnets too. Giving your little one easy access to tug, chew, and get all tangled up is just asking for trouble.
Fortunately, there are some simple cord-wrangling tactics to minimize those cable hazards as well. A few minutes of cord-corralling can go a long way in creating a safe, snarl-free environment for your crawling munchkin.
Cord Covers for Floor Cables
For cords that have to run across open floor spaces, invest in some flat cord cover channels. These plastic tracks allow you to fully enclose cables while providing a low-profile path that’s easy to step over. Many even have hinged lids to easily swap out cords as needed.
You can find basic cord covers fairly cheap online or at hardware stores. Or for a more polished look, opt for decorative covers that blend into your baseboards or floor trim. Either way, bundling up those cable hazards prevents any yanking or mouthing mishaps.
Cord Shorteners and Organizers
Have a jumble of long, excess cords draped around furniture or appliances? Those looping hazards are just waiting to act as baby lassos. Wrapping up the slack is an easy way to get everything neat and contained.
Inexpensive velcro cord shorteners allow you to quickly bundle up loose cables. Or use zip-ties or rubber bands to corral the slack into a tidy loop. For a sturdier solution, look into cord management boxes that fully conceal excess cable lengths.
Securing Cords With Tape or Ties
Sometimes the best solution is to simply tape down or tie up any loose cords. A few strategically placed strips of gaffer’s tape or cable ties can keep cables firmly anchored along baseboards and walls. Just be sure to avoid any tripping hazards across open pathways.
Minimizing Extension Cord Use
While we’re on the subject of cord safety, it’s always best practice to minimize use of extension cords wherever possible. Having too many long, loose cables strung around increases risks for babies and adults alike. If you find yourself relying heavily on extension cords, consider having an electrician install some additional outlets instead.
By taking some time to properly secure, shorten, and conceal all electrical cords in your home’s baby zones, you’ll drastically cut down on those cable-related hazards. A little cord control goes a long way in creating a safe, tangle-free environment for your little explorer!
Baby-Proofing Power Strips
Speaking of cord clutter, power strips are another area that needs some serious baby-proofing attention. Those horizontal rows of electrical outlets are like an all-you-can-shock buffet for curious little fingers. Not to mention all the cords dangling off of them just waiting to be yanked.
While it’s always better to have an electrician install proper outlet boxes whenever possible, power strips are sometimes unavoidable for all our connected gadgets these days. If you do have to use them in baby zones, some simple precautions are an absolute must.
Power Strip Covers
The easiest solution is to pick up some plastic power strip covers that fit snugly over the entire unit. These allow the cords to pass through while fully enclosing and blocking access to the actual outlets themselves. Most covers just slide or snap into place with no tools required.
You can find basic power strip safety boxes pretty cheap online or at baby stores. Or opt for fancier models with cable management features built right in. Either way, containing that electrical strip behind a solid cover prevents any unfortunate outlet explorations.
Cord Management for Power Strips
Of course, even with the outlets covered you’ll still want to wrangle up any loose cords coming off the power strip itself. Use some of the cord-shortening and taping tactics we covered earlier to keep everything nice and tidy. Leaving a rat king of tangled cables is just asking for a curious baby to start yanking.
Whenever possible, try mounting power strips up off the floor and out of reach using command strips or cable organizers. The higher and more contained everything is, the better.
Minimizing Power Strip Use
At the end of the day though, the safest solution is simply to minimize your use of power strips altogether when childproofing your home. Those cheap electrical splitters are meant for temporary use only. Relying on them long-term just increases electrical risks and clutter.
If you find yourself needing to plug in an excessive number of devices in one area, that’s a good sign you should call an electrician. Having them install dedicated outlet boxes with built-in safety covers is always preferable to daisy-chaining power strips.
By containing those electrical octopus traps behind covers and keeping cords under control, you can at least make any essential power strips much less of a baby hazard. But avoiding them entirely is definitely the ideal when possible. A few simple electrical upgrades now could prevent a whole lot of headaches (and potential shocks) down the road!
Electrical Safety Tips for Traveling
Of course, all the baby-proofing efforts in the world can’t fully prepare you for venturing out into the wild with your tiny explorer. Whether it’s a weekend at grandma’s or a full-blown family vacation, new environments mean new electrical dangers to watch out for.
Hotel rooms, rental homes, even just visiting friends – anywhere that hasn’t been properly childproofed is a potential minefield of uncovered outlets and loose cables. But with a little preparation and some travel essentials, you can create safe temporary spaces no matter where you go.
Portable Outlet Covers
The first item to pack in your baby safety go-bag? A stash of those inexpensive outlet cap covers we talked about earlier. These lightweight plastic pieces can easily slip into any outlet to instantly eliminate shock hazards.
Look for multi-packs of the self-closing hinged outlet caps. That way you can quickly secure any outlets in your hotel room, Airbnb, or wherever else you’ll be staying. Just remember to remove them before checking out!
Securing Cords While Traveling
Of course, you’ll also want to be prepared to deal with any loose cord situations in temporary spaces. A roll of gaffer’s tape or a pack of reusable cable ties can work wonders for quickly bundling up hazards.
Stick the tape directly on baseboards or walls to anchor down any dangling cords out of baby’s reach. Or use the zip-ties to create neat cable loopbacks for excess lengths. Just be sure to avoid running anything across open walkways where it could become a tripping hazard.
Making Do With What You’ve Got
When you’re not in your own fully baby-proofed home, a little creativity and improvisation may be required too. Use sofa cushions or luggage to block access to certain areas if needed. Rearrange furniture to cover up outlets behind heavy pieces. Even rolling up a towel into a makeshift cable cover can work in a pinch!
The key is staying vigilant and using whatever tools you have on hand to quickly secure any electrical hazards. Don’t just assume that hotels or rental properties will be properly childproofed for your baby’s safety.
Bringing The Baby-Proof Essentials
While we’re on the topic of travel preparedness, it’s always a good idea to pack a few other key childproofing supplies beyond just outlet covers and cord wranglers. Cabinet locks, door knob covers, corner cushions – stock up on any essentials that will let you quickly secure new environments.
Having a go-bag of baby safety gear ready ensures you can hit the ground running whenever you arrive at an un-proofed space. That way you can focus on actually enjoying the trip instead of stressing over hazards.
With a little preparation and the right gear, you can create safe temporary zones for your little one no matter where you go. Because the last thing any parent needs on a getaway is an accidental electrical mishap putting a literal shock into the vacation!
Keeping Curious Hands Safe from Electrical Hazards
There you have it – all the essential tips for transforming your home into an electrical safety zone fit for even the most mischievous baby explorers. From outlets to cords and power strips, a little proactive childproofing goes a long way in eliminating those shocking hazards.
The key is using a multi-layered approach of physical barriers, cord control, and safe practices. Because you can bet that as soon as you let your guard down, that’s when tiny hands will zero in on the one electrical item you missed!
Of course, handling any major electrical work yourself can be risky without proper training. Why not let the professionals at Gene Johnson ensure your entire system is up to code and childproofed to the highest safety standards? Our team of licensed electricians can inspect every outlet, install tamper-resistant upgrades, and identify any other potential hazards.
Give us a call today at (206) 792-7495 to schedule an electrical safety audit for your home. With our expert assistance, you can gain total confidence that your baby’s environment is free of any shocking surprises as they grow into their curious years!