As a parent, creating a safe environment for your children at home is always a priority, to minimise (although never completely eliminate!) the risks and hazards. We keep medication out of sight of curious eyes, move sharps away from little hands and pick up trip hazards without thinking about it. But safeguarding children from the dangers of electricity, as well as educating them about it, is just as important as they encounter electrical plug sockets, cords, and their associated hazards, from the moment they wake up to when their bedroom light gets switched off at bedtime.

What are the risks?

Electrical outlets and cords are part of everyday life, and are often within easy reach of curious children. The risks associated with these include:

• Electric Shock: Children may insert objects or fingers into electrical plug sockets, leading to severe injury or even fatality.
• Strangulation Hazards: Loose cords can pose a strangulation risk to young children.
• Fire Hazards: Damaged or frayed cords can ignite, posing a fire risk.

What can I do to minimise the risks?

DON’T cover the plug sockets!!

Why not, you say? Well, British 13-amp plug sockets are designed for safety, with plastic barriers that block access to the electrical current when the socket is empty. Inserting a plug moves the barrier, allowing electricity to flow.

However, objects like plastic plug protectors can also move the barrier, leaving the circuit exposed and increasing the risk of electric shocks. These protectors can be inserted incorrectly or broken, further compromising safety. In essence, using a plug protector negates the safety features of UK sockets, raising the risk of shocks, electrical fires, and socket damage.

Educate your children

Ultimately, education and understanding is the best preventative tool we can give our children regarding electrical safety. Simple, age-appropriate explanations about why they should not play with plug sockets, along with consistent supervision, can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, and ensure our children grow up aware of the hazards everyday electrical items can pose.

Rearrange the furniture

A simple trick, but a sensible, free and effective one! Placing large, bulky furniture in front of outlets that are not in use prevents children from reaching them. Cord shorteners can also be used to keep excess cords out of reach, to avoid children tugging on them (and inevitably pulling over a bedside lamp!)

Install Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

Tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) are designed with a spring-loaded cover that seals off the plug slots. These outlets only open when equal pressure is applied simultaneously to both slots, as when plugging in a cord, making it difficult for children to insert foreign objects. Installing TRRs is a highly effective way to childproof your home and is recommended by electrical safety organisations.

Conduct regular safety checks

Carry out regular safety checks around your home to ensure all electrical outlets are adequately childproofed and that no wear and tear on the sockets, or cords, could pose a risk. Check that all outlet covers and plates are in place and undamaged, and replace any that are loose or broken. Keep cords neat and tucked away out of sight, where possible, and ensure that plug sockets aren’t overloaded. For further information on general electrical safety at home, check out our March blog.

And if you want to call in the professionals for a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) of your fixed wiring, give us a shout – our comprehensive survey will find out if any outlets are overloaded, if there are any potential risks or fire hazards and if there is any defective electrical work.

Ensuring the electrical safety of your home is a vital aspect of childproofing, protecting your loved ones from potential dangers. If you’re considering enhancing the safety of your electrical outlets or need professional advice on childproofing your home, including installing TRRs or carrying out an EICR, contact Carter Electrical Installation today for friendly advice and to schedule a consultation to improve the safety of your home.outdoor spaces, LED lighting offers a bright, efficient, and sustainable option. Contact us today if you want to make the change to LED – there’s no job too small for us at Carter Electrical Installation!

The benefits of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have been recognised for decades, but it’s only in recent years that the newest generation of LED lighting has become widely adopted by businesses and households. In the UK, the sale of incandescent bulbs ceased in 2012, higher energy halogen bulbs were banned in September 2021, and fluorescent bulbs are set to be phased out gradually. By 2030, the government is aiming for 85% of bulbs sold to be LEDs. Today, we look at the top ten benefits of switching to LED lighting:

1. Energy efficiency

One of the most significant benefits of LED lighting is its energy efficiency, a phrase we hear a lot these days. Although you may think that one bulb can’t make that much difference to your energy bill, LEDs use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and about 50% less than fluorescent bulbs. Consider how many bulbs you have in your home or business – this substantial reduction in energy consumption translates to lower electricity bills and a reduced carbon footprint, making LEDs an eco-friendly choice.

2. LEDs last longer

According to the government, one of the benefits of LED lighting is that they last up to 5 times longer than halogen bulbs. Other sources say that halogen bulbs typically last for 1,500 hours, whereas LED lights last for anything from 35,000 to 100,000 hours! Although there may be some debate as to exactly how long they last, this longevity means fewer replacements, less maintenance, and long-term savings on replacement costs.

3. Durability

Did you know that it used to be the case to check a box of traditional light bulbs before buying, much like a box of eggs, to check they were all intact before buying? Unlike incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, LEDs are resistant to shock, vibrations, and external impacts, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. They’re so sturdy because an LED is made of compound semiconductor materials, which emit light when the electrical current passes through them, allowing them to withstand rough handling and extreme temperatures.

4. No more burnt fingers!

Have you ever tried to change a standard bulb right after it’s blown? Halogen and incandescent bulbs generate light through heat, making them extremely hot to the touch after use. One of the practical benefits of LED bulbs is that they don’t emit heat, so you can change them without wincing!

5. LEDs are environmentally friendly

Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, so they have to be carefully disposed of when they’ve stopped working, or they will inevitably cause damage to the environment. On the other hand, LED lights benefit from being made from compound materials that are recyclable and not harmful to the environment upon disposal. 

6. Matchy-matchy

Traditional, incandescent bulbs, could be coated with a colour such as blue or red, but that coating would dim the amount of light that could pass through the glass of the bulb. However, LED lights can emit a wide range of different colours, matching whatever decor you have in your home or business in a visually appealing way. Additionally, LED strip lighting is becoming commonly used in homes and business reception areas to highlight feature walls, signage and focal pieces of furniture.

7. The most versatile bulbs

The versatility of LED lighting is unmatched; LEDs come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colours, making them suitable for diverse applications. From residential and commercial lighting to automotive, industrial, and outdoor lighting, LEDs can be tailored to meet specific needs and design preferences.

8. LEDs operate at a lower voltage

If you install a low voltage lighting system, which operates at around 12V, you and your employees or family are far less likely to suffer a harmful electric shock if your lighting system is damaged or exposed to the elements. Voltage systems used to power traditional lighting generate around 120V, which can be fatal if accidentally touched.

9. Smart lighting capabilities

If you want to wow your guests at a party, choose LEDs! At the forefront of smart lighting technology, LEDs can be easily integrated with smart home systems, allowing you to control your lighting remotely via smartphones or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Features such as dimming, scheduling, and colour changing enhance convenience and energy efficiency, as well as that wow factor.

10. LEDs are even good for your health!

Incredibly, LED lighting can even have positive effects on your health and well-being: they provide better lighting quality that reduces eye strain and headaches associated with poor lighting. Additionally, LEDs can be adjusted to minimise blue light exposure, which can interfere with sleep patterns, promoting better sleep hygiene.

Overall, LED lights offer many advantages, and are an easy, cost-efficient way of reducing your carbon footprint. Whether you are upgrading your home lighting, outfitting a new office, or enhancing outdoor spaces, LED lighting offers a bright, efficient, and sustainable option. Contact us today if you want to make the change to LED – there’s no job too small for us at Carter Electrical Installation!