Parents warned about dangers of electrical sockets

Parents are failing to protect children from electrical accidents, a study has revealed Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

The majority of new parents are failing to do enough to protect children from electrical accidents, including relying too heavily on socket covers, according to a study.

While 74% of new parents believe their home is safe, 62% rely on socket covers and just 38% have a residual current device (RCD) to prevent fatal electric shocks and minimise fire, the survey for the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) found.

  • At least one person dies each week in their own home from an electrical accident, while 350,000 people are seriously injured each year, according to figures.

  • Electrical accidents cause almost half of all house fires.

  • Although more parents use socket covers than baby monitors or stair barriers, regular sockets are generally safe and covers will not prevent a shock if the installation is not safe, the ESC said.

The ESC has appealed to retailers and media and experienced parents to take responsibility for educating new parents about real electrical dangers and the importance of an RCD.

RCDs cut the electrical current if there is an unusual surge and offer better protection than normal fuses and circuit breakers, the ESC said.

Almost half of young parents (45%) said they felt overwhelmed when it comes to ensuring the safety of their children.

Their predominant focus on socket covers could stem from pressure from the parenting community - retailers, advice outlets and other parents - to buy these devices, which is leading them to misguided and too simplistic decisions.

The research found that 28% of new parents felt that pressure from retailers led to buying safety products, while 25% said parent peer pressure was a purchase factor.

Daybreak's Katy Fawcett reports.