MOTHERCARE SOCKET COVERS

In a world where more electrical goods are making our lives more comfortable and enjoyable, there are also more dangers for young children. Small changes to your homes can save accidents which could have devastating affects. Parents often remember to make small changes such as making sure children can't grab dangerous items such as irons, knives, cleaning products of high surfaces, but many people miss the problem at floor level such as electrical sockets. Covers are compulsory over sockets at a child's level in nurseries and to ensure similar safety at home, these cheap covers could save a life threatening accident.


What are socket covers?

They are pieces of plastic which fit perfectly into a standard 3 pin, 13 amp socket. The cover is hexagonal shape with the 3 pins, of rectangular shape, coming out the back. They are a plain white cover and so do not stand out from the whole socket itself but they prevent children being able to place objects into the sockets. They can only be used when the socket is not in use, however even if the switch is turned on, the socket will remain safe which is great since young children like to fiddle with everything. They are made out of plastic so are long lasting, difficult to break and also can be easily cleaned. They should only e used when they are dry, never wash them and then place them straight into the socket in case the switch is turned on. It is simple to clean them by using a cloth however ensure they are totally dry before using.


How do you use them?

It is very simple to use them. To place them in the socket just push them in like a normal plus, no extra force is required. They fit very well and so you should have no difficulty in placing the cover into the plug. To take them out is not difficult but sometimes it takes a while. All you have to do in theory is pull it out but because it fits so well this can sometimes be a little difficult. It certainly helps if you have nails and you can get a firm grip to pull the cover out. However, patience will help and it's not that hard. Getting them out is not difficult it just may take more than one attempt, I'm sure every parent is willing to spend that extra 5 seconds for the safety of their child. When they are not in use they should be placed out of your child's reach to ensure the socket covers themselves do not become dangerous from your child putting them in their mouths.


Should I buy some?

A couple of weeks ago I was sat in a lecture on emergency medicine and a picture came up of a baby about 8 months burnt. The image was horrific and still sticks in my mind. Cause of this accident was an electric shock. This child will have the scars for its whole life, not to mention the pain it would feel for months as the skin would have to be grafted in and then grow back. This is not even the worst case scenario, children die from electric shocks. The question 'Should I buy some?' is asking 'Should I keep my child safe?' There is no doubt that the safety of your child is the most important thing. So rather than having to cure the damage, prevention is the best method. I strongly recommend this product, because there is no point in having unnecessary risks. These covers stop injuries from electrical sockets however they do not prevent all electrical dangers. There are other ways a child ca be injured by electrical items such as wires left within their reach. However these sockets are one small step to a child's safety and many others such as wires can be sorted easily.


How much do they cost?

These particular covers are available from mothercare for £3.99 for a pack of 12. That's just over 33p for one, a small price to pay for safety. They are durable so it is unlikely you will need to buy new ones. You can get them from lots of shops such as ToysRUs (and in the past Woolworths) and many others. They cost about the same in everywhere and all have the same function and work in the same way.


Thank you for reading.