PARENTS are being urged to throw away a ‘dangerous’ baby safety product used by millions of households every day.
Power strip protectors are one of the most commonly used tools to protect children from the dangers of electric shock.
But a report from consumer website Which? has found that parents may be advised to ditch the popular safety device, fearing it could do more harm than good.
This is because the design disrupts existing safety mechanisms in standard UK sockets, the company warned.
A typical British 13 amp socket is already safe and has a plastic shut-off valve that closes when the socket is empty.
This hatch is designed to provide a barrier against 230 volt electricity or your baby’s fingers
However, tools such as plastic socket covers can open these hatches, posing a safety hazard to your child.
Experts at Which? also say that if the item intended to protect your child is positioned incorrectly, for example upside down or broken in half, this could cause further damage to the shutter.
Worse still, electricians warn that they can damage internal connections and increase the risk of electrical arcing, which can lead to melted or burned outlets.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the NHS also warn against its use.
“It’s understandable that we want to do everything we can to protect our children from the dangers of electricity, which is why we understand why people are so keen on socket protectors,” said Steve Cole, RoSPA’s director of policy, campaigns and public affairs.
“But the truth is, they can be more dangerous than a bare electrical outlet.”
“That’s why we agree with Which?’s latest report and say the safest way to childproof sockets is to leave them alone,” he added.
The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESF) also told The Sun it advises parents not to use the devices.
A statement said: “The ESF advises to avoid the use of removable socket covers.
A study from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, USA, found that 100% of all two- to four-year-olds can remove one type of plastic electrical outlet cover within 10 seconds.
Why are power strips dangerous?
STEVE COLE from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) explains exactly why plug caps are dangerous
Many electrical outlets for residential and commercial use are equipped with built-in safety features, such as protective shutters, to protect live components.
However, when outlet covers are used, they bypass these shutters, leaving live parts exposed and posing a potential hazard.
Due to the incompatibility between socket covers and sockets, there is a high probability that they will come loose. This will not only expose the socket, but also pose a risk of damage that can lead to electrocution, overheating and fire.
HOW TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE
Parents are encouraged to educate their children about the dangers of touching a plug, rather than using the covers.
Harry Kind, consumer rights expert at Which?, says: “If you are concerned about young children around plug sockets, we recommend you keep your electrical cables neatly tucked away and as far out of reach as possible.
He added: “You may also want to turn off any electrical outlets you’re not using or block them with large pieces of furniture, like a couch.”
Instead, we recommend simply leaving electrical outlets alone.
One of the tips given by Martyn James, an expert in cost-effective solutions, was to look at things from your baby’s perspective.
You can do this by lying on the floor and looking at the objects in your home from this perspective.
“As adults, we often look down at things we wouldn’t normally look at and look up, just like a baby,” he said.
“The things we often overlook because they seem safe at first glance are likely the first things your child will use to help themselves pull themselves up and stand up.”
He added: “Those are the things you have to check. Ask yourself, is this going to fall over and crush the baby or is this going to break open?”
It is important that you remain vigilant and aware of things that could be dangerous to your child.
Sometimes retailers recall products if they notice a dangerous defect in the item.
Last month, Next noticed an issue with their three-piece set of footless sleepsuits in yellow, white and blue and sent a return message.
You can read more about this problem here.
This comes after iCandy announced a voluntary recall of the Orange 4 pushchair with immediate effect due to a potential safety issue.
The brand has stopped selling this particular stroller after a potential manufacturing defect was discovered that could pose a risk to young babies.
In most cases, products are withdrawn because there is a safety risk to customers.
Elsewhere, the CocoMelon JJ Interactive Learning Doll is being pulled from shelves due to safety concerns.