17/10/2018
Think socket covers are a good idea? Then you should read this..
DO NOT USE PLASTIC SOCKET COVERS!!! - Please share!! Every Parent/Grandparent, Teacher, Child Minder etc needs to know about this!!!
My name’s Drew Kamphuis. I’m a very proud Mummy of two Little Ones and around my Emergency Ambulance shifts I’m MD of First For Safety – We run all sorts of awesome First Aid Courses across Oxfordshire but specialise in Affordable Family Emergency First Aid Training for Parents. I feel very privileged to have been asked by Witney NCT Branch to write an article with regards to the safety debate around plastic plug in socket covers/protectors (widely sold as safety accessories to stop children putting their fingers into sockets). Firstly though, I must point out that I’m by no means an electrician! I learnt to wire a plug in physics at school once (about 28 years ago!) but that’s as far as my electrical abilities go. However, I have looked for reliable sources when researching this topic and prior to the Ambulance Service I was an Operational Fire Fighter for over 13 years. During which I attended several serious house fires with an electrical cause.
So what’s the big deal?
It’s worth knowing, (most people don’t), that in June 2016 The Department of Heath issued a Safety Alert (Ref: EFA/2016/002) on the use of electrical socket inserts. In summary they stated that socket covers can overcome the safety features already designed into socket outlets. As such they should NOT be used in health or social care premises, nor supplied for use in homes or residences. Any socket inserts currently in use should be withdrawn.
In June 2017 BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association) published this statement, “BEAMA strongly advises against the use of socket ‘protective’ covers.”
In addition to this, members of the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) are campaigning for “safety” covers to be banned. They say the covers are a waste of money and potentially dangerous. This is because the British three-hole plug socket already features an integrated safety design (dating back to 1947) Sockets have shutters inside. Only by inserting a 3 pin plug can the shutters be opened, which in turn opens the lower two shutters activating the live part of the socket accessed by the lower two holes.
The safety feature means that for a child to get an electric shock, they would need to over come the shutter in the top pin hole that would in turn open the shutters in the lower two holes and then stick a finger deep into the top hole, at the same time as putting a finger into one of the bottom holes.
Members of the IET have launched a campaign called Fatally Flawed which is dedicated to the protection of children from the dangers of socket covers. They want the sale of plastic plug-in covers banned.
Their reasons include:
• No socket covers have been approved or regulated for use in UK BS 1363 sockets and there are non available which meet the correct dimensions for British plugs! As such they rarely fit sockets correctly.
• Anything made to the wrong dimensions may cause permanent damage which in turn can lead to overheating and the risk of fire.
• There are NO responsible, national bodies that recommend the use of socket covers. (Including the UK Government, RoSPA, Ofsted, Child Accident Prevention Trust and Electrical Safety First -Electrical Safety Council.)
• If socket shutters are damaged as a result of using socket covers the shutters may NOT close on removal of a plug and therefore will NOT protect children as they will have access to the live contacts.
• Children like to play with socket covers. If they were to plug one in upside down into the top hole, it would open the lower shutters and expose live contacts..
Any good news?
Some….. According to CAPT, children are at low risk from electric shocks. British electrical sockets are designed to be safe. Serious electric shocks are not as common as many people think.
Electricity can be dangerous in other ways. Old electrical appliances/wiring, or children playing with electrical appliances, can cause burns and house fires.
Parents should teach their children electrical safety and be aware of what they’re capable of doing with electrical appliances. There’s some great electrical safety advice here: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
My conclusion:
Get rid of plastic socket covers from your home and check that the shutters in your sockets are still working. If not, get a qualified electrician to replace damaged sockets with new ones. Share this info with friends and family and speak to your Childs nursery, school and child minder as they may not be aware.
I hope you found this article useful. Do take a look on U tube for videos that further explain this serious safety concern.
Please do also check out our website with regards to learning Affordable, Life Saving, Family Emergency First Aid Skills: www.firstforsafetyoxfordshire.co.uk or you can join us on our very popular First For Safety page.
Stay safe and best wishes
Drew xx
