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Original poster

To be surprised the amount of places that still have "child plug safety" things

96 replies

JumpyCastle · 15/07/2017 08:25

This week I've seen them in a coffee shop, a friend's house and a local leisure centre. How is it still so common to have these devices that make a normal plug so much more dangerous?

Where is the daily mail scare story's when you need them?!

OP posts:
engineersthumb · 15/07/2017 10:06

One of the problems with these devices is that they fit so tightly. This is achieved by the pins beige oversized which can damage the shutters n a normal UK socket. The shutters are sufficient to prevent contact of fingers and withstand drips/splashes. Even without shutters drips /splashes are a very low hazard, it's more likely they will cause the RCCD to operate then lead to a shock to the individual

insancerre · 15/07/2017 10:13

U.K. Sockets already have inbuilt safety features to prevent electrocution
Using plug sockets bypasses these already built in safety features and makes your sockets more dangerous, not less dangerous
I run a nursery and we don't use them
The best way to stop children from fiddling with plug sockets is to have something plugged in to them

pigsDOfly · 15/07/2017 10:19

Just out of interest BarbarianMum what was your Dbro doing with a screwdriver in his hand at the age of 2 and how was he on his own with the screwdriver long enough to poke it into a socket?

SoupDragon · 15/07/2017 10:22

My dbro poked a screwdriver into a plug socket when he was 2. We used plug socket covers - i could barely get them out, kids never attempted it. Other people can do as they please but I've never regreted it.

Of your children never tried to get et them out then you have no cause for regret.

I also used them (because they weren't considered dnagerous then!) and have no cause for regret but that is down to luck. I wouldn't use them now.

SoupDragon · 15/07/2017 10:22

And the socket covers are very easy to remove with a screwdriver :o

Notevilstepmother · 15/07/2017 10:33

If they are so tight you can't get them out then they are possibly causing damage.

Notevilstepmother · 15/07/2017 10:48

m.youtube.com/watch?v=bcvunSLPEtQ

BMacklin · 15/07/2017 11:02

Thanks for this I didn't know. Thanks Notevil for the first video. Very interesting.

donquixotedelamancha · 15/07/2017 11:08

"Where is the daily mail scare story's when you need them?!"

Plastic socket covers are genuinely dangerous, so the DM won't do a scare story on them.

Unless... can anyone think of a way to convince the DM that Jeremy Corbyn invented them?

gamerwidow · 15/07/2017 11:51

It's still part of official guidance to have them. My DSIS was recently told by her HV that she should get them. No amount of comment from me would convince her otherwise HmmAll the time they are still recommended by or

gamerwidow · 15/07/2017 11:51

By professionals you'll still see them everywhere unfortunately.

Luckymummy22 · 15/07/2017 11:52

My son ignores the sockets with the covers on them. It's impossible for him to get them out. He's never even tried. When they are not in use they are put away in a safe place.
When a socket does not have a cover on it the he plays with it. If he can he will plug something in.
It's not lazy parenting. We hardly ever leave him in a room alone because he gets up to so much mishief.
We tell him no for something he thinks it's a game.
It's not that we don't discipline him - we do. He's just extremely mischievous.
So having the socket covers are just once less issue for us.
We've had them for almost 6 years now with no issues and my eldest also wouldn't be able to remove them.

PaintingByNumbers · 15/07/2017 11:53

It isnt part of official guidance at all - see my link upthread

Jamhandprints · 15/07/2017 11:57

I dont understand the problem. Can someone explain it calmly? I have two curious boys who have tried sticking toy tools in sockets before ( while I was in the room, just turned my back for a second to answer the door) so I would rather have them on, but do they catch fire or something? What's the issue?

insancerre · 15/07/2017 11:58

Jam
Watch the video

PigletJohn · 15/07/2017 12:01

"told by her HV that she should get them"

I really love to see one of these ignorant amateurs people trying to do their best, put their requirement in writing so it can be dealt with formally.

BarbarianMum · 15/07/2017 12:10

What was my bro doing with a screwdriver? At a guess trying to "fix" something - we'd had builders in and he was fascinated. They're probably the people he nicked got the screwdriver from as he didn't have routine access to a toolbox at that age. And he wasnt left alone - my mum and i were right there in the room with him. One minute he was playing with his toy garage, next minute bang. Couple of weeks later (hand still bandaged) he tried to jam a knitting needle in there. Then a fork. Not a child to give up easily.

QuackDuckQuack · 15/07/2017 12:13

Is there actually any evidence of a child being hurt due to a socket cover? I understand the theoretical risk, but I struggle to get excited by it. We've never had socket covers.

Foniks · 15/07/2017 12:28

Im in the middle with this one, just because i know the ridiculous things I used to stick into sockets, and remember discovering the shutters one day when I stuck a pencil into the top hole. Thankfully nothing happened, but it really could have. Fortunately I got bored of sockets quickly.

Socket covers, if a child manages to get it off (wouldn't be surprised if they found a way) you're literally giving them a tool to stick in the top hole. They don't need to find something and discover it themselves, there's something right there.

So now, all my sockets are behind big furniture like sofa, play kitchen etc. Well, in the living room anyway, because I leave mine alone in there sometimes when I need to do something in another room.

RustyBear · 15/07/2017 12:34

If you want a link to advice that looks more official, try this one
<a class="break-all" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161014091458/www.foundationyears.org.uk/2016/10/dfe-note-on-the-use-of-electrical-plug-socket-coversinserts-in-early-years-provision-in-england/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">web.archive.org/web/20161014091458/www.foundationyears.org.uk/2016/10/dfe-note-on-the-use-of-electrical-plug-socket-coversinserts-in-early-years-provision-in-england/

SquedgieBeckenheim · 15/07/2017 12:40

It was my HV, 3 years ago when DD1 was tiny, who told me to never get socket covers. She advised all the other baby proofing but not socket covers. DD1 has tried playing with sockets once - turning the switch on and off. She was told never to do it and it was the one thing she listened too!

welshweasel · 15/07/2017 12:42

My HV told us not to use them. She suggested stair gates, fixing furniture to the walls and using tv tethers, all of which we've done. Definitely no plug covers though, although I did think this was common knowledge.

AngeloftheSouth84 · 15/07/2017 12:42

British sockets have safety built in. There is no need for socket covers in the UK.

Original poster
JumpyCastle · 15/07/2017 12:45

I'm very Confused at the overwhelming expert advice to not use them, but some people want to carry on using them as they believe they know better Hmm

OP posts:
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