If you dont want sockets in the kids bedroom for them to mess with then either have heavy furniture infront of them or remove them and add a blanking plate until they are old enough to know better. It may be a little inconvenient but if puts your mind at rest.
So Sad
- Thread starter Robgers
- Start date
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Alternatively fit MK socket outlets, which have shutters that only open when pins are inserted into all 3 holes.
"The inquiry also heard from specialist health and safety inspector John Madden, who said it was likely that the child had grabbed the exposed live and neutral wires....
Mr Rough earlier told the inquiry he had assumed his assistant had taken away the severed plug with the old oven.
Mr Madden added that it was obvious that if the workmen had taken the cable away with them, Liam's death would not have happened.
However, he added that they were suitable to carry out the job required, which was removing an old faulty oven and replacing it with a new one."
BBC
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The incident in which a toddler was killed is extremely sad, but it is all too easy to jump to false conclusions as to what may have helped prevent it. However, it should be quite clear that whenever a cut off plug is discarded the fuse should be immediately removed, that would ensure that there can be no access to a live wire. The same advice would apply equally to any equipment lead or appliance which is being discarded, it is extremely unlikely that a toddler would have the capacity to refit a fuse.
The overriding rule is that any plug, device or appliance which could be dangerous in the hands of a small child should be put beyond the reach of all such children.
The reasons why socket covers have no part to play in preventing such accidents are as follows:
1. If socket covers were used as a means of prevention, then to ensure that a child who has access to such a dangerous object as a cut-off plug does not plug the item in requires that there is no available power socket in the house NOT fitted with a socket cover. (The same applies for dangerous appliances such as hair straighteners etc.)
2. To achieve the above it would be necessary to ensure that there are no sockets which are left with any device plugged in, as clearly a child capable of inserting a power plug is equally capable of removing another plug to do it. (This will immediately tell you that there must be no cordless phones, video games, radios, televisions, computers, chargers, table lamps, or any other device in use in the house, this is a somewhat unlikely scenario.)
3. However, there are no plug-in socket covers which have been shown to reliably prevent small children from removing them. There are whole socket covers available, but these either rely on simple clips, which cannot be regarded as childproof, or locks which are undesirable as they prevent immediate disconnection of appliances in an emergency (eg overheating), and in any case they are not suitable for use with plugs which incorporate a charger for a phone etc. As mentioned by others, the only reliable means of putting sockets beyond use of a child is to remove the sockets completely, or place a very heavy piece of furniture in front of them, clearly neither of these is a practical solution.
4. It is interesting to note that one of the proponents of using socket covers to prevent children plugging in dangerous items is Roger Cheetham, managing director of Clippasafe. This stretches credulity beyond limits as the product which Clippasafe manufactures is one which uses a plug (such as the one the which the child intends to insert) to remove the cover! How can that prevent a child plugging something in?
http://www.clippasafe.co.uk/rsm/58/press-releases/?id=40
Any suggestion that socket covers will prevent children plugging in dangerous devices is seriously misguided, and serves only to dilute the essential message that dangerous plugs, leads and appliances must be kept beyond the reach of small children at all times.
The overriding rule is that any plug, device or appliance which could be dangerous in the hands of a small child should be put beyond the reach of all such children.
The reasons why socket covers have no part to play in preventing such accidents are as follows:
1. If socket covers were used as a means of prevention, then to ensure that a child who has access to such a dangerous object as a cut-off plug does not plug the item in requires that there is no available power socket in the house NOT fitted with a socket cover. (The same applies for dangerous appliances such as hair straighteners etc.)
2. To achieve the above it would be necessary to ensure that there are no sockets which are left with any device plugged in, as clearly a child capable of inserting a power plug is equally capable of removing another plug to do it. (This will immediately tell you that there must be no cordless phones, video games, radios, televisions, computers, chargers, table lamps, or any other device in use in the house, this is a somewhat unlikely scenario.)
3. However, there are no plug-in socket covers which have been shown to reliably prevent small children from removing them. There are whole socket covers available, but these either rely on simple clips, which cannot be regarded as childproof, or locks which are undesirable as they prevent immediate disconnection of appliances in an emergency (eg overheating), and in any case they are not suitable for use with plugs which incorporate a charger for a phone etc. As mentioned by others, the only reliable means of putting sockets beyond use of a child is to remove the sockets completely, or place a very heavy piece of furniture in front of them, clearly neither of these is a practical solution.
4. It is interesting to note that one of the proponents of using socket covers to prevent children plugging in dangerous items is Roger Cheetham, managing director of Clippasafe. This stretches credulity beyond limits as the product which Clippasafe manufactures is one which uses a plug (such as the one the which the child intends to insert) to remove the cover! How can that prevent a child plugging something in?
http://www.clippasafe.co.uk/rsm/58/press-releases/?id=40
Any suggestion that socket covers will prevent children plugging in dangerous devices is seriously misguided, and serves only to dilute the essential message that dangerous plugs, leads and appliances must be kept beyond the reach of small children at all times.
I have two children both in their 20s, when they first became mobile they were told off if they went near an unplugged lead a socket, or went into the kitchen without permission.
They leaned not to do it, as a toddler either would stop at the kitchen doorway and look at us, but not go in when the safety gate was not fitted
It is one area where you can't afford to let children make mistakes - they can be fatal.
BTW - I don't leave fuses in scrap plugs, or even spare plugs with no cable attached, hadn't thought about bending pins.
They leaned not to do it, as a toddler either would stop at the kitchen doorway and look at us, but not go in when the safety gate was not fitted
It is one area where you can't afford to let children make mistakes - they can be fatal.
BTW - I don't leave fuses in scrap plugs, or even spare plugs with no cable attached, hadn't thought about bending pins.
I agree there are lots of unsafe socket covers arround but the ones pictured in this thread actually look pretty decent. The plastic face looks solid and the pins look full-size.
C
cumbriahandyman
Here's a thought:
If the appliance lead hadn't had a moulded plug it's possible (probable?) that the fitter, for economic reasons, would have removed it for re-use.
If the appliance lead hadn't had a moulded plug it's possible (probable?) that the fitter, for economic reasons, would have removed it for re-use.
C
cumbriahandyman
Guys- I accept and totally understand your criticism regarding socket covers.
In my defence all my new sockets are always MK and the posted product is overly firm fitting when used.
There is absolutely no way they can be removed easily. A finger nail isn't strong enough, a flat edge such as small flat blade screwdriver has to be used to remove them.
Since I'm not clear on if the fit is firm because of the MK 3 spring mech, or because the pins are tight in to the socket or a combination of both parts I will today go though my d'base of clients I have given them to and email mail them a warning to pull test any still being used.
Your comments raise a concern that maybe the springs in the MK weaken after time and that a initially firm, strong fitting may loosen with age.
As for the links and comments, thank you to all. I am genuinely shocked at some of the poor quality waste of time plug covers that those links have shown.
Again, in part defence I had tested the ones I've given out- they certainly do work (at new fit stage) and my intention was always to promote some safety beyond that built in to a standard socket for children's areas.
I fully accept that cheap manufacture, poor design (does anyone remember the ones that came with a pull off loop handle at the front) are a waste of money.
In my defence all my new sockets are always MK and the posted product is overly firm fitting when used.
There is absolutely no way they can be removed easily. A finger nail isn't strong enough, a flat edge such as small flat blade screwdriver has to be used to remove them.
Since I'm not clear on if the fit is firm because of the MK 3 spring mech, or because the pins are tight in to the socket or a combination of both parts I will today go though my d'base of clients I have given them to and email mail them a warning to pull test any still being used.
Your comments raise a concern that maybe the springs in the MK weaken after time and that a initially firm, strong fitting may loosen with age.
As for the links and comments, thank you to all. I am genuinely shocked at some of the poor quality waste of time plug covers that those links have shown.
Again, in part defence I had tested the ones I've given out- they certainly do work (at new fit stage) and my intention was always to promote some safety beyond that built in to a standard socket for children's areas.
I fully accept that cheap manufacture, poor design (does anyone remember the ones that came with a pull off loop handle at the front) are a waste of money.
Hi Chris,
I'm sure that you have given these things out in the best of faith, thinking that they do what the're supposed to do.
Just a point though, you are an intelligent guy who could easily detect the difference between a rather sturdy model and one of those flimsy ones with holes in it. However, little Johnnys mum might not have the faintest of ideas and then go on to tell all the other mums at nursery about the nice electrician who gave them out FOC. They then go away and buy the really dodgy sunday market versions, not knowing anything more about them than what they have been indirectly told by Johnny's mum favorite electrician.
Its an electrical safety thing and the electrician said the're good, whos mum is going to argue with that?
Also, although you say that they are tight to pull out (presumably) when they are new and fitted to new MK sockets. What happens when they've worn a bit from a year or twos use and plugged into a 10 or 20 year old socket ? I bet they put up much less of a fight.
They might just be as easy to pull out as they one detailed in the 'luca and the socket cover' video ?
They might get passed from mum to mum and stay in use for a number of years, perhaps becoming more and more dangerous as time goes by.
I 100% agree with you about promoting safety, whether in a childs room or not, although my method of doing this is by telling my customers to remove the plastic things as UK sockets already have protection which they think doesn't exist and by giving them the links that I posted earlier.
cheers
Mik
I'm sure that you have given these things out in the best of faith, thinking that they do what the're supposed to do.
Just a point though, you are an intelligent guy who could easily detect the difference between a rather sturdy model and one of those flimsy ones with holes in it. However, little Johnnys mum might not have the faintest of ideas and then go on to tell all the other mums at nursery about the nice electrician who gave them out FOC. They then go away and buy the really dodgy sunday market versions, not knowing anything more about them than what they have been indirectly told by Johnny's mum favorite electrician.
Its an electrical safety thing and the electrician said the're good, whos mum is going to argue with that?
Also, although you say that they are tight to pull out (presumably) when they are new and fitted to new MK sockets. What happens when they've worn a bit from a year or twos use and plugged into a 10 or 20 year old socket ? I bet they put up much less of a fight.
They might just be as easy to pull out as they one detailed in the 'luca and the socket cover' video ?
They might get passed from mum to mum and stay in use for a number of years, perhaps becoming more and more dangerous as time goes by.
I 100% agree with you about promoting safety, whether in a childs room or not, although my method of doing this is by telling my customers to remove the plastic things as UK sockets already have protection which they think doesn't exist and by giving them the links that I posted earlier.
cheers
Mik
C
cumbriahandyman
Addendum
Plug socket coversIt is very difficult for a child to get an electric shock by playing with a socket, so you shouldn't need to use socket covers. However, in some instances they may stop young children plugging in heaters or other appliances that could cause burns or start a fire. You should not rely on socket covers as they are not regulated for safety. It's much better to make sure appliances are safely put away.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_10038395
Plug socket coversIt is very difficult for a child to get an electric shock by playing with a socket, so you shouldn't need to use socket covers. However, in some instances they may stop young children plugging in heaters or other appliances that could cause burns or start a fire. You should not rely on socket covers as they are not regulated for safety. It's much better to make sure appliances are safely put away.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_10038395
Chris, FatallyFlawed has not tested the socket cover you show, can you please tell us the exact dimensions of the pins?
The FatallyFlawed factsheet "Does Size Matter?" http://TinyURL.com/sizeproblem explains some of the problems caused by non-BS 1363 dimensions. The dimensions of those we have tested and measured are shown in another factshhet http://tinyurl.com/testedsize As you will see, more than half of those we have tested have pin thicknesses which are larger than permitted by BS 1363, these can damage socket contacts which may cause overheating when the socket is used. MK has confirmed to FatallyFlawed that NOTHING which does not comply with the dimensional requirements of BS 1363 should ever be put in a socket.
H
holmslaw
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