The fact that there’s just so much young children don’t know is part of the reason why they’re so curious by nature. This inherent curiosity and imaginative nature are normally a good thing and something we as parents seek to foster in whatever ways we can. After all, playing and interacting with things is how kids start learning about the world around them from a very young age.
However, the concern is that their curiosity often leads to kids getting themselves in trouble or putting themselves in dangerous situations. This is especially the case when it comes to electricity, which is why it’s essential to start teaching kids electrical safety early in their lives. At Kolb Electric, our number one priority is electrical safety, and we want to encourage every parent to take all of the necessary steps to keep their child as safe as possible.
Why Electrical Safety Education Matters for Kids
Despite the number of safety mechanisms that modern electrical systems have, electricity is still quite dangerous, especially for younger children who aren’t yet aware of the danger. With toddlers, the biggest concern is that they’re often attracted to electrical outlets. To their young minds, an outlet can resemble a happy, smiling face that they want to play with. This is what leads so many children to try sticking foreign objects into the outlet.
Approximately 2,400 children in the U.S. are injured each year from sticking things into an outlet and suffering shock or burns. This is why it’s important to make sure young kids can’t access any outlets and to start teaching them about electrical safety as soon as they’re old enough to comprehend the dangers.
Everyday Electrical Hazards Children Should Know About
When it comes to electricity safety for kids, there are a number of hazards to be aware of. These include:
- Sticking things into outlets
- Overloading power strips
- Yanking out cords
- Using devices with a damaged cord
- Using electricity near water
Easy Ways To Teach Electrical Safety
While kiddos are curious, they can also easily get bored or not pay attention to what their parents say. That’s why you should make sure to use some of these electrical safety tips for kids to help keep them engaged and ensure they learn and fully understand. If not, the information may just go in one ear and out the other like so many other things we say to our children.
The first thing you want to do is to start as early as you can and repeat the lessons often. Repetition is especially key for ensuring everything sinks in. Starting early is also helpful for ensuring your kids get the answers about electricity they may want to know so they don’t try to find out those answers themselves the hard way.
It’s equally important that you try to present everything in a fun, age-appropriate way. Luckily, there are a huge number of resources on how to teach kids about electrical safety. This includes everything from picture books designed for young children to videos and fun activities you can find online. Communicating honestly and encouraging your kids to always ask questions is also important for keeping them engaged and increasing the chances of them retaining all of the information.
The last tip is to make sure you continue to stress the importance of electrical safety as your kids age and continually evolve your lessons as the hazards they may encounter change. Certain hazards, like your kid playing with an outlet, luckily lessen over time and are something your kid will outgrow. Nonetheless, other hazards can become more prominent as your kids grow up and start using computers, phones, stereos, kitchen appliances, etc. As such, it’s essential that you continually make them aware of the potential hazards these other items can pose as well.
Ensure Your Electrical System is Safe With Kolb Electric
If you’re searching for a residential electrician you can trust, Kolb Electric is the company to call. We’re a family-owned and -operated company with six locations in Virginia, Maryland, and the DC area. For the past 100 years, we’ve been dedicated to providing reliable electrical services and helping homeowners ensure every aspect of their electrical system is safe.
Whether you need an inspection, installation or repair, contact Kolb Electric for safe, reliable electrical services.
