Teaching your Child about Electrical Safety

Did you know that May is National Electrical Safety Month? The folks at Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) contacted Macaroni Kid to ask if we would share these very important electrical safety tips with you. Here is what they want you to know:

Facts about Electrical Dangers

Each year hundreds of children fall victim to avoidable electrical mishaps. Children and parents have become so accustomed to electronics that they forget the physical dangers associated with them, such as overcrowded outlets, frayed wires, using devices near water, leaving electronics on for long periods of time, etc. Here are a few more stats about electrical safety hazards and safety tips to share with your children:

• On average, 496 children ages 14 and younger die due to an unintentional  fire of burn-related injury. 

• Electrical failures are the cause of almost 44,000 home fires annually.

• Each year, fires caused by electrical failures result in $1.47 billion in property damage.

• Keep liquids, including drinks, away from electrical items such as TVs, video-game systems, and computers. They could spill and cause dangerous shocks or fires.

• Never play with electrical cords, light sockets, or electrical outlets.

• Do not overload outlets with too many plugs.

• Never yank on the cord to unplug an appliance. Hold on to the plug itself.

• If you see a broken electrical cord in your house, tell an adult. The adult should replace the cord: Never try to repair it.

• Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn.

• Do not play or fly kites near power lines. If your kite gets caught in a power line, let go of the kite.

• Stay away from big metal electrical boxes in your neighborhood. They’re not safe to play around or sit on.

• When there is lightning, stay away from trees and get inside.

For more information on electrical safety, visit: ESFI.org