New parents have ‘a worrying lack of knowledge about electrical safety issues’ says Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety Council. Among other things, they are relying too heavily on socket covers!
Consequently, the ESC is urging parents to download its free ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ Smartphone app. This allows anyone to do a quick, visual check of his or her home to ensure it is electrically safe.
According to Buckle: “The ESC aims to raise awareness of the hazards in the home and the simple steps that parents can take to both ensure the safety of their family and pass on this knowledge to their children as they grow up.
He confirms: “The only way to be sure of protecting your children from the range of electrical dangers in the home is with RCD protection.”
The ESC says a residual current device (RCD) switches off electricity automatically if there is a fault. They are far more sensitive than normal fuses and circuit breakers and provide additional protection against electric shock.
Statistics show that only 38% of new parents’ homes have adequate RCD protection – exposing their families to risk of lethal electric shock or fire, yet 78% believe their homes are safe?
Buckle says: “We are also challenging product manufacturers and parenting media to offer parents key electrical safety advice, instead of offering socket covers as a ‘one stop’ solution! We are not saying parents shouldn’t have socket covers, but they must do more than this because these products could be removed by inquisitive children!”
There have been several child fatalities and serious mishaps caused by electricity in the home! Siobhan Freegard, founder of the UK’s biggest parenting site, points out: “The annual toll from electrical accidents is terrible – and children are often most at risk. With families owning more and more gadgets, this risk grows greater every day.
“The arrival of a new baby is the time when parents are most likely to try to make their home a safe place for kids, so it’s worrying to see how few realise their homes may not be safe despite all their efforts.
“At Netmums we welcome any initiative which protects the safety of children and parents and that’s why we are delighted to be the first organisation to pledge our support to the 
Electrical Safety Council, to help educate young parents in electrical safety.
“Just a few simple changes around the home can give parents peace of mind.”
More information: www.esc.org.uk