How to stop baby reaching plugs through the cot

[Laidee]

We are just about to transition our 6mo to his cot. Our plan is to start with daytime naps and work up to the night time. There are plug sockets on the wall behind his cot, which we've covered with the socket covers. But there is also an old aerial plug which he could get his little fingers into. We've pulled the cot away from the wall for now but wondered whether there were any possible solutions? I know we can use bumpers but is it possible / safe to screw a large piece of plastic to the outside of the cot so he can't reach through?

It's because there are countries (USA) where the plug sockets are dangerous and they made them for those markets and the concept was then exported via international stores like IKEA.

People in general assume in this country that if it's for sale it's recommended and safe. This is just not always the case. (And if it's on Amazon, it's just as likely to be a fake product as well.)

Is it possible to just turn off the circuit that the socket is on?

And I swing back (sorry, concentration is shot today) to finish THAT thought by saying you probably shouldn't buy your car seat from Amazon.

How about one of those airwrap mesh cot bumpers, just on the wall side where the electrical sockets are?

They are breathable mesh that let light and air through, but would be enough of a barrier to block access to sockets (depending on the height of your sockets).

We have this problem and we put a large board in between the cot and the wall

fatallyflawed.org.uk have been campaigning for ages to have socket covers banned in the UK, but with a parliament full of arts graduates no-one will listen. It is only relatively recently that the NHS have mandated that they should not be used.

it is worth reading up - the problem is a) they aren't needed (safe design since 1947), b) there are no standards for them as they aren't needed so they don't fit and can damage sockets and c) they actually override the protection built-in.

I have tried to get some shops selling them not to do so but have been either ignored or refused. At least mothercare went bust.

We got some like this and they work really well and are easy to fit.

www.amazon.co.uk/Clippasafe-Electrical-Plug-Socket-Protector/dp/B003TFCB6E/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=Plug+cover&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1593273055&sr=8-10

Nothing is inserted into the plug socket with these, they cover the entire plate and plug sockets.

still unnecessary. Are you going to cover every socket in the house?

even if he does turn the switch on, he still won't get a shock. And clippasafe are still selling the dangerous plug-in covers, so should be boycotted. Same for quite a few other suppliers, sadly.

Put the cot in the middle of the room so he can’t reach
Does it need to go against the wall?

My dc would leave them alone when I was with them and would listen to ‘no’ from a young age when they went near them. I did want them near the cots though for when I wasn’t around, just in case they got curious. It helped my peace of mind and the over cover ones are safe. I’m sure there are other brands that offer a similar product.

Change the socket to something like this

Don't use the plug covers that come with baby safety packs. They are extremely dangerous and should be withdrawn from sale. If you don't know why I bet there's a YouTube video showing you how it's easier to electrocute yourself with one of those.

Just get an electrician to install blank plates.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/switches-sockets/cat830530?switchessocketsproducttype=blanking_plate

Sorry I forgot to post this ,
there are double ones avalible too ;

]]

Try again ! ]]

www.amazon.co.uk/BabySecurity-Single-Electric-Socket-Cover/dp/B000X1DNIM/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/262-3910394-7916615?psc=1&pf_rd_p=8fda86c3-ed56-4a08-b241-1bb18e3aa3f8&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=DMD8F&pf_rd_r=9P8FQDEMKVM32HAC64VG&pd_rd_i=B000X1DNIM&pd_rd_w=nSEci&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&refRID=9P8FQDEMKVM32HAC64VG&pd_rd_r=ef904fd0-9e47-4224-93a3-36f60ea3abdd

Third times a charm

Yeah the socket cover things that actually go into the socket are dangerous. When I was about 4, I pulled one out and stuck my finger in quickly and it sent me flying across the room, I still remember it even though I'm in my 30's now.

For my son's bedroom, we got blank cover plates to go over any sockets we weren't using and the one's we were using, were covered by furniture which was strapped to the wall with those strap things. It's impossible to cover all sockets as you need them but securing sockets in any room the baby/toddler will be alone at any time is a good shout. An electrician will fit any blank cover plates and just charge you 1 hours labour and you can buy the blank plates from screwfix or B&Q yourself quite cheaply

Bumpers are dangerous, just move the cot to somewhere nowhere near plug sockets

Bumpers are dangerous, just move the cot to somewhere nowhere near plug sockets

The airwrap mesh bumpers are not dangerous like solid padded numbers because they do not have a suffocation risk if the face is pushed up against them. They are about as dangerous as a cellular blanket (not non-zero risk, but negligible). The bigger risk is that older babies might try to climb on it to get out of the cot, but it's not strong enough to support weight like that.

Not everyone has a big enough bedrooms that they can move cots around to loads of different possible locations.

@DonLewis

Get an electrician to come and put in blank socket covers (or whatever they're called) for the duration of cot dwelling?

This

As a couple of others have said, just put a board between the cot and the wall.

I'm sure you could get something like this for a single plug/ areal plug

We stuffed our spare cot mattress down the side of the cot.