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The horrified parent shared the news that she’d arrived home to the smell of burning.
She eventually tracked down the source to a plastic cover she’d put on a power socket to protect her 10-month son from electric shock.
The covered socket next to her baby’s crib was blackened and burning due to a wiring problem in the house.
The plastic on this outlet cover had burned and had become a major safety hazard.
Fortunately, it was discovered early before it could develop into a major incident that could have endangered her home or her family’s lives.
The short answer
Plastic socket covers stop little fingers, but if your wiring is faulty, old or overloaded they can overheat and become a fire risk. The safest option in bedrooms and play areas is shutter power points, backed by an electrician's check of your wiring.
- Shutter power points stay inactive until an appliance is plugged in, and a plastic shield blocks them when not in use.
- Older homes may pre-date current safety rules, so have an electrician check the wiring and confirm you have an earth leakage circuit breaker.
Safety covers
Plastic socket covers are commonly used as a safety device to prevent small children unwittingly sticking their fingers into a power source.
The covers are not an issue themselves but can become dangerous in a home with faulty wiring, a common problem in Australian homes, although one that the residents may be completely unaware of.
If your electric wiring has been badly installed, or is old or overloaded, it can overheat and anything inserted into the socket such as a plastic socket cover, can become dangerously hot and a fire hazard.
For peace of mind, parents should consider a more reassuring alternative to keep their children safe around electricity.
In bedrooms and other areas where children play, installing shutter power points are the safest option. These outlets are inactive until an appliance is plugged in. When not in use they are protected by a plastic shield from inquisitive fingers.
Check your wiring
It is worth the callout cost of having an electrician check that your home’s wiring is safe.
This is crucially important if you live in an old house that may pre-date current safety regulations.
Older properties were not designed for the demands of 21st Century home life with televisions, computers, freezers and air-conditioning all putting strain on the circuits.
If you have a new home, check that there is an earth leakage circuit breaker which will cut the power supply to your house should an electrical fault occur. These are compulsory in all new homes in Australia, but many older houses will not have them as standard.
These prevent and protect against accidental electrocution where connected equipment may be faulty, cords frayed or wiring insulation compromised. Speak to your electrician about installation if you need one.
Older homes
New Australian homes must have an earth leakage circuit breaker, which cuts the power when a fault occurs. Many older houses were built without one, so ask your electrician about fitting one.
Remember smoke alarm safety
Finally, just to be safe, make sure that you have smoke alarms installed throughout the house, including the bedrooms. Put a note in your diary to replace the batteries at the same time each year – they are no use of they don’t go off.
Here at PWA Electrical Services, we can help with all your electrical requirements.
All of our electricians in Perth are fully qualified and insured for peace of mind.
With over 30 years’ experience, we can assure you that you’ll be getting the best service at affordable prices. We cover Perth city and the surrounding areas, so contact us today.
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Talk to the PWA team about residential, commercial or after-hours work. Call us or send an enquiry for a free quote.
About the author
Kirk Lam
Senior Electrician, PWA Electrical Services
Kirk is a Senior Electrician and the backbone of our operation, known for his attention to detail and industry knowledge. He is often requested by our clients as their preferred technician.
