Socketman
21-03-2010, 10:03 PM
There have been earlier posts on this forum regarding the dangers of socket covers. The problem was originally highlighted by the FatallyFlawed (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk) campaign (a group of professional engineers, doctors and child-care professionals).
You may be aware that subsequent to that Which? (http://www.which.co.uk/news/2009/09/plug-socket-covers-may-be-waste-of-money---185233.jsp) did a partial test of socket covers and also found some problems? There is an updated Which? report (http://www.which.co.uk/reviews-ns/socket-covers/index.jsp) but it is only avavilable to members. (Please note that the Which? report is limited in scope and that three of the covers which they thought were least bad are actually among the most dangerous on the market.)
The basic point is that the sockets we use today, which were introduced in 1947, were designed specifically to be child safe. Not only are the socket holes too small for a baby's fingers to poke into, but the sockets have automatic internal shutters to prevent anything being poked into them! The safety aspects of sockets are ensured by government regulation, there is no no need for socket covers, and no government regulation of them. To understand more about the dangers visit FatallyFlawed (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk)
As a result of the original FatallyFlawed study, Ofsted has ceased to demand the use of socket covers, if you ask Ofsted's enquiry service they will tell you "Ofsted neither recommends nor prohibits the use of socket covers; instead we look at how registered providers ensure their premises are as safe as possible for children.
It is for the provider to decide as part of the risk assessment they carry out at their premises how best to protect children from dangers associated with electric sockets and appliances.
Providers may wish to consult the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) and Child Accident Protection Trust websites for information to help them make a decision about the use of socket covers. ...."
An increasing number of online specialist baby retailers (usually run by business people who are also parents) have decided to cease selling socket covers and warn of the dangers instead.
Unfortunately the UK Government has, so far, done nothing to either ban their sale or introduce regulations to ensure that they are made safe.
Think very carefully before exposing children in your care to the dangers of plug-in socket covers.
You may be aware that subsequent to that Which? (http://www.which.co.uk/news/2009/09/plug-socket-covers-may-be-waste-of-money---185233.jsp) did a partial test of socket covers and also found some problems? There is an updated Which? report (http://www.which.co.uk/reviews-ns/socket-covers/index.jsp) but it is only avavilable to members. (Please note that the Which? report is limited in scope and that three of the covers which they thought were least bad are actually among the most dangerous on the market.)
The basic point is that the sockets we use today, which were introduced in 1947, were designed specifically to be child safe. Not only are the socket holes too small for a baby's fingers to poke into, but the sockets have automatic internal shutters to prevent anything being poked into them! The safety aspects of sockets are ensured by government regulation, there is no no need for socket covers, and no government regulation of them. To understand more about the dangers visit FatallyFlawed (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk)
As a result of the original FatallyFlawed study, Ofsted has ceased to demand the use of socket covers, if you ask Ofsted's enquiry service they will tell you "Ofsted neither recommends nor prohibits the use of socket covers; instead we look at how registered providers ensure their premises are as safe as possible for children.
It is for the provider to decide as part of the risk assessment they carry out at their premises how best to protect children from dangers associated with electric sockets and appliances.
Providers may wish to consult the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) and Child Accident Protection Trust websites for information to help them make a decision about the use of socket covers. ...."
An increasing number of online specialist baby retailers (usually run by business people who are also parents) have decided to cease selling socket covers and warn of the dangers instead.
Unfortunately the UK Government has, so far, done nothing to either ban their sale or introduce regulations to ensure that they are made safe.
Think very carefully before exposing children in your care to the dangers of plug-in socket covers.