more electrical circuit safety help - teachers!

[picnicinthewoods]

You guys were so helpful last week, so I'm going to run something else past you!
I'm working with a group of 5-8 years olds making lighthouses with simple circuits to light a bulb. They have made the circuits and designed their lighthouses.
This week they are going to use junk materials to create it. So for decorating it, would it be an absolute no-no to say they can use paint? (from a safety point of view) Bearing in mind the circuit (with switch off) will already have to be inside the model. I don't have time for them to paint first, leave to dry and then assemble.
Am I better off just saying no paint & to decorate with various collage materials/paper etc
My son did one yesterday to try it all out and it looked very effective when painted.
Thank you!

On a different point, if you add PVA glue to the paint (about half and half), it should probably stick better to the lighthouse. Try it out beforehand to make sure it covers in the way you want to. The other option is to use strips of paper running horizontally and fixed with Sellotape.

Perhaps establishing that mains electricity and water don't mix would be a better idea than convincing a child that a 1.5 v battery poses the same danger.

Not the same danger to the child, but the same risk of damage to the electrical circuit.

rusty please explain.

I meant that if you spill wet paint/water on a low voltage circuit it's not going to hurt anybody, but it could damage the circuit, so it's a good idea to establish the principle early on that you don't put wet stuff of any kind near electrics of any kind.

I don't see how that would damage the circuit.

I take it you never use your car in the rain.

Yes, of course I do, but I do try not to drop my phone down the toilet....

DD2 made a lighthouse. Pringles tube, wrapped in a tube of painted paper. Top was an upturned activia yogurt tub.

or use a torch, mobile phone, camera, watch or any other everyday equipment

My OH has put his mobile through the washer 3 times now (yes stupid I know) and oddly enough it still works

Why Don't you stick the battery and circuitry to the lid of the Pringles tube (on the inside) so that you have built in access for future battery changes/required circuit maintenance etc. That way it can be painted on the outside with no problems.

Also, fwiw we used to be taught that 50v plus was a lethal voltage, but are now taught that 'all voltages are lethal' as it is the current,not the voltage, that kills.

What I originally said was:

RustyBear Wed 15-Jan-14 18:32:06
No, I didn't mean I thought there would be any danger from painting them with the battery in, just that if you wanted to emphasise the safety aspect you could do it that way. That's why I don't allow children to have water bottles on the table when they have the laptops out - most of the bottles are spill proof anyway, but it's just a principle that I enforce

Not entirely sure why this has turned into me apparently being paranoid about using a phone in the rain....

This, perhaps:
'it's a good idea to establish the principle early on that you don't put wet stuff of any kind near electrics of any kind.'

Lots of my class got robofish for Christmas