From the devices that keep us connected to the morning coffee maker that fuels our day, electricity is something we rely on for most of our activities. For parents, grandparents, and caregivers in Northborough, Massachusetts, teaching kids about electrical safety is vital for creating a safe home for the family. In Massachusetts, older homes often combine outdated electrical systems with modern-day demands, making education even more urgent for children, given their naturally curious nature.
Below, we will cover the real dangers that electricity poses to your children and provide 15 practical lessons to teach kids of all ages about the dangers of electricity. No matter the role you play in a child’s life, teaching them about electrical safety will spark a lifelong respect for its power, helping to keep them safe. Let’s take a closer look at the dangers of electricity and why kids need to know how to be cautious around it.
Why Kids Need to Learn About Electricity and Its Dangers
Every baby born is born helpless and dependent, relying on their parents to meet their every need and teach them about the world around them. With electricity powering everything around us and being a regular part of life, parents can forget how dangerous it can be. As adults, we often forget how much we’ve learned through experience, but it’s up to us to guide our inquisitive kiddos and help them understand the real dangers electricity can pose.
Each year, around 2400 children receive treatment in emergency rooms across the U.S. for electrical injuries. These include burns, shocks, and falls caused by messing with outlets or cords, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Here in Massachusetts, where we often experience severe winter storms and have aging infrastructure, power surges and exposed wiring increase the risks. For toddlers, the risks are even more pronounced because they commonly bite on cords or try to explore outlets with their tiny fingers or other small objects. Older children are at a higher risk from high-voltage sources, such as downed power lines. More than statistics, these accidents are preventable tragedies that hit close to home.
Children are naturally curious, drawn to shiny plugs, dangling cords, the mystery of the outlet, and anything within their reach. Without proper supervision and guidance, this natural exploration can lead to devastating consequences. Shocks can cause burns, heart issues, or even death, while overloaded circuits can spark fires. Teaching children at a young age about the power of electricity encourages the development of respect and caution, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents. Teaching them is not about scaring them; it’s about giving them the proper knowledge to make safe choices, whether you have a toddler reaching out for a loose cord or a teen charging devices. To help Northborough families, we have compiled 15 essential lessons to teach children of all ages about electrical safety.
15 Lessons Every Child Should Learn About Electrical Safety
These 15 lessons are simple and easy to understand, helping you teach kids from preschool to teenagers how to stay safe around electricity in and around the home. You can share these tips at family dinners, post them near specific dangers, or interject them into everyday moments with your kids.
Stay Away from Downed Power Lines: In Northborough, storms can bring down power lines, posing significant risks to residents. Remind children never to approach or touch a downed power line and to report it to an adult immediately.
Water and Electricity Do Not Mix: Children must understand that water and electricity do not mix. Younger kids may understand this if you compare it to gasoline on a fire; they cause big trouble when combined. For older kids, teaching them that 70% of the human body is composed of water, which makes it a great conductor of electricity, can help them understand the danger of coming into contact with electricity. Teach them not to use devices on or near wet surfaces or when their hands are wet.
Never Stick Anything in an Outlet: Teaching small children not to stick anything into outlets is one of the first lessons we find ourselves teaching as soon as they start crawling. The temptation for them to stick fingers, toys, or utensils in outlet holes is universal, and it can lead to severe shocks. For toddlers, teach them to stay away from outlets altogether and reinforce this with a firm reminder like, “Ouch! Don’t Touch!” For older kids, explain that outlets carry strong electrical currents that pass through anything placed inside them.
Don’t Pull on Cords, They Aren’t Toys: Pulling, tugging, twisting, or biting cords can damage them and cause injury to the child. Exposed wires can burn the child or cause an electrical fire in the home, both of which are extremely dangerous. Teach children to report any damaged cords or exposed wires to an adult immediately.
Pull Plugs, Not Cords: Demonstrate to kids (who are old enough to understand) how to safely remove a plug from an outlet. By grabbing the plug and not pulling on the cord, gently pull it out. Explain to them that pulling the cords out of the wall can damage and expose the wires inside the cords.
Don’t Overload Outlets: This lesson is especially important for teens and gamers. Explain to them that each outlet has a limited capacity, and plugging in too many devices can cause overheating, sparks, or even fires. Creating simple rules, such as using only one plug per outlet unless asking for permission, can help prevent accidents.
No Climbing Near Power Lines: What kid doesn’t love to climb? As soon as they walk, they start scaling everything in sight. And for many children, climbing trees becomes one of the most common things they do. If branches become too close to power lines, they become dangerous. Teach kids not to climb on trees near power lines. Take them outside and point out danger zones on your property.
Recognize the Warning Signs: Oftentimes, our electrical systems will give us signs that they are damaged or outdated and in need of electrical services. Teach your kids to recognize the smell of burning plastic, listen for buzzing noises, and look for signs of burning on or near outlets. Make sure they understand the importance of reporting these warning signs to an adult immediately.
Unplug Unused Devices and Chargers: Teach older kids who use electronic devices and chargers to make sure they unplug anything that is not in use. Explain to them that even when they’re not in use, chargers can heat up or waste energy.
Don’t Put Items Over Lamps: Teach your children to never place blankets, clothes, or any other fabrics over lamps, as they can overheat and catch fire.
Kites, Drones, and Danger Zones: Warn kids to fly their kites and drones a safe distance from power lines to avoid entanglement, shocks, and power outages.
Go Inside During Storms: If you have children, you know stormy weather doesn’t bother them much. Parents and caregivers must remind children to come indoors immediately if they hear thunder or see lightning.
Don’t Play Near Electrical Equipment: Teach children that electrical boxes, panels, and transformers are hazardous and should only be handled by adults and professionals.
Use Appliances With Care: If your children are old enough to operate electrical appliances without adult supervision, ensure they understand that these appliances are not toys and can be potentially hazardous. Stress the importance of following instructions and unplugging the appliances when finished.
Emergency Responses: Teach kids the right way to respond during an emergency based on their age. Older children should know never to touch a person if they are shocked, but instead turn the power off (if it’s safe) and call 911 immediately. For younger children, have them practice yelling for help or going to a trusted neighbor if they are too young to use a phone or they don’t have access to one.
Teaching kids about the dangers of electricity and providing them with the proper knowledge to keep them safe at home is only one piece of this puzzle. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers also have the responsibility of ensuring their homes are safe havens, free from electrical hazards. Let’s look at how adults can achieve this.
Making Your Home a Safe Haven for Kids
In addition to teaching children the above safety lessons, ensuring your home is electrically safe is another important step to creating a safe haven. Older homes in our community, built decades ago, may have outdated wiring, outlets, and panel boxes. For electrical services in Northborough, homeowners can contact an electrical contractor who can conduct home inspections to identify hazards and recommend necessary upgrades to ensure their home is safe for everyone. For example, if you have young children, they may recommend installing tamper-resistant receptacles if they are absent from the house. For homes with outdated systems, a complete electrical upgrade may be necessary. These proactive steps complement the lessons you teach your children, creating the safest electrical environment for your kids to explore and grow.
Keep Kids Safe and Empower Them with Knowledge
Electricity is a remarkable modern marvel, but it demands respect and requires responsible use. By teaching children these 15 lessons, you’re equipping them with the tools to stay safe in and around the home. Homes with children should combine these simple but important lessons with a professional electrical inspection to ensure the home is as secure as possible. Safety starts at home, and a few lessons today can protect your children and home well into the future. Together, we can keep our kids safe, our homes secure, and our community powered.