Hi, I am one of the founders of the FatallyFlawed campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of plug-in socket covers.

There have been several recent references to the use of socket covers in these threads, so as it is almost three years sicnce Ofsted policy on socket covers changed (as a result of the FatallyFlawed campaign) I hope you do not mind me bringing the issue to your attention once more.



British 13 Amp sockets have built in automatic shutters to protect against children poking things in them.
First introduced more than 60 years ago, they are considered the safest in the world and do not require external covers.
No responsible national body recommends using socket covers.
That includes the UK Government, RoSPA, Ofsted, Child Accident Prevention Trust and Electrical Safety Council.
Sockets are made to accept plugs which meet very exact requirements. Anything which is not a standard plug MUST be made to the same dimensions as required for plugs. No socket covers which meet those dimensions are available!


Please note, ALL UK power sockets (three rectangular pins) have shutters, even those which are 60 years old!

Socket covers introduce a variety of dangers; they make sockets less safe, not more.

Some socket covers have many faults, some just a few, but none makes sockets safer than they already are.

www.fatallyflawed.org.uk has lots of detail on socket covers, the dangers they create, and reviews of many different types.

Ofsted does not require you to use socket covers!

In the interests of safety you shopuld regularly check the condition of your sockets, and you may want to include that in your risk assessment. Make sure that the socket shows no signs of damage and check the operation of the shutters. There is a guide to checking the shutters on our FAQ page (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/html/faq.html#Q10).

I hope that you will find this information of interest.

Hi. I have had your info in my parent folder for 2 years now. I haven't used socket covers for a long time, I found that the new ones I bought from a large well known baby store, didn't klip into the socket securely anyway.

I have campaigned on here several times for childminders not to use socket covers so it is good to see you here.:thumbsup:

so do we have to use socket covers or not as i will gladly take mine away

There have been several recent references to the use of socket covers in these threads, so as it is almost three years sicnce Ofsted policy on socket covers changed (as a result of the FatallyFlawed campaign) I hope you do not mind me bringing the issue to your attention once more.

Don't mind at all David, you are always welcome here. :)

I often find your previous posts for members who are not aware of the risks involved with socket covers. :thumbsup:

so do we have to use socket covers or not as i will gladly take mine away


I don't and no Ofsted inspector should tell you that you should. You need to show how you keep children safe and protect them from the risks involved in having plug sockets in a childcare setting. :)

Adding it to your risk assessment is a good idea. :thumbsup:

I have the info above in my Risk Assessment Folder and in my Parent Info Folder.

At last some sensible information that we can use against the use of socket covers
my hubby has always said that they are unsafe and not to use them but it's hard proving to ignorant people that he is right and they aren't
his arguement has always been that by putting socket covers in you are opening the pins and allowing the potential for things to be poked into the holes and causing shocks

I will print the info off and keep it in my RA folder

Hi, I am one of the founders of the FatallyFlawed campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of plug-in socket covers.

There have been several recent references to the use of socket covers in these threads, so as it is almost three years sicnce Ofsted policy on socket covers changed (as a result of the FatallyFlawed campaign) I hope you do not mind me bringing the issue to your attention once more.



British 13 Amp sockets have built in automatic shutters to protect against children poking things in them.
First introduced more than 60 years ago, they are considered the safest in the world and do not require external covers.
No responsible national body recommends using socket covers.
That includes the UK Government, RoSPA, Ofsted, Child Accident Prevention Trust and Electrical Safety Council.
Sockets are made to accept plugs which meet very exact requirements. Anything which is not a standard plug MUST be made to the same dimensions as required for plugs. No socket covers which meet those dimensions are available!


Please note, ALL UK power sockets (three rectangular pins) have shutters, even those which are 60 years old!

Socket covers introduce a variety of dangers; they make sockets less safe, not more.

Some socket covers have many faults, some just a few, but none makes sockets safer than they already are.

www.fatallyflawed.org.uk has lots of detail on socket covers, the dangers they create, and reviews of many different types.

Ofsted does not require you to use socket covers!

In the interests of safety you shopuld regularly check the condition of your sockets, and you may want to include that in your risk assessment. Make sure that the socket shows no signs of damage and check the operation of the shutters. There is a guide to checking the shutters on our FAQ page (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/html/faq.html#Q10).

I hope that you will find this information of interest.

Thanks for this and the link - very useful :thumbsup:

Miffy xx

Don't mind at all David, you are always welcome here. :)

I often find your previous posts for members who are not aware of the risks involved with socket covers. :thumbsup:

Thanks Pauline, it's good to know people find our information useful. Interest in the site just keeps growing!

It does make me angry that suppliers of socket covers continue to mislead people by falsely claiming that they are essential. What makes it worse is that they cannot be bothered to actually make them to the correct size! It just shows that they have no interest in safety, only profit.

Best wishes,
David

I stopped using them a couple of years ago after reading the fatally flawed info and have pointed lots of people in the direction of the website :thumbsup:

I think it's good to have information that is easy to understand and makes sense!

I did not even know this about socket covers, thanks and I will keep the information for my safety policy and risk assessments.

you really do learn something new every day! :)

Sara

Thank you for the reminder.

However a word of caution;

I have used your information and shown it Ofsted during inspection, its in my RA's and parents know I do not use socket covers HOWEVER I was marked down on my inspection because I choose not to use socket covers. The inspector believed I did not adequately protect children from socket covers - bearing in mind only TWO sockets in my whole house are potentially accessible to children. One of these two is in a place that we rarely are... and the other is more often than not in use.


just a word of caution.... Ofsted may not require you to use covers however this may not have filtered down to all their inspectors nor may they agree with it.

Thank you for the reminder.

However a word of caution;

I have used your information and shown it Ofsted during inspection, its in my RA's and parents know I do not use socket covers HOWEVER I was marked down on my inspection because I choose not to use socket covers. The inspector believed I did not adequately protect children from socket covers - bearing in mind only TWO sockets in my whole house are potentially accessible to children. One of these two is in a place that we rarely are... and the other is more often than not in use.


just a word of caution.... Ofsted may not require you to use covers however this may not have filtered down to all their inspectors nor may they agree with it.

Pip as this is a factual issue I would raise it with Ofsted if an inspector marked me down. Ofsted recognise we do not need to use them.

I would also want the Inspector to explain to me how I was not protecting the children by not having the covers. I would ask her/him to find three things that would fit into the socket and tell me which ages of children could have found those things and could actually simultaneously push them into all three holes. Fingers don't fit.

I would challenge it up to the hilt if they couldn't come up with a valid reason and I don't see how they can. But you know me!!

The more of us that challenge though the better.

Pip as this is a factual issue I would raise it with Ofsted if an inspector marked me down. Ofsted recognise we do not need to use them.

I would also want the Inspector to explain to me how I was not protecting the children by not having the covers. I would ask her/him to find three things that would fit into the socket and tell me which ages of children could have found those things and could actually simultaneously push them into all three holes. Fingers don't fit.

I would challenge it up to the hilt if they couldn't come up with a valid reason and I don't see how they can. But you know me!!

The more of us that challenge though the better.



Oh I did challenge it Ricky at the time with the woman, I even showed her information from fatally flawed (and also fire brigade info) , to be honest after my battering during inspection I was ready to quit to be honest and I did not have the heart or the energy to pursue a complaint or appeal further. There were various other things in my inspection that she shook me up on - even my hubby who was present objected to what she was saying.

Oh I did challenge it Ricky at the time with the woman, I even showed her information from fatally flawed (and also fire brigade info) , to be honest after my battering during inspection I was ready to quit to be honest and I did not have the heart or the energy to pursue a complaint or appeal further. There were various other things in my inspection that she shook me up on - even my hubby who was present objected to what she was saying.

I'm really sorry that you had a problem with the inspector over this. It must be horribly frustrating to be criticised for doing the right thing!

Here is what Ofsted told me last year:
"In your email you say that there is continuing evidence that Ofsted inspectors are showing disapproval when encountering childcare settings where the decision has been taken not to use socket covers.

In our response (12 December 2008) to your email of 11 December 2008, we made clear our position on the use of socket covers by childcare providers. We neither recommend nor criticise the use of socket covers by childcare providers, only that the environment in which they provide childcare is safe and meets legal requirements. I am sorry to hear that you think that Ofsted inspectors are showing disapproval when socket covers are not in use. If you are able to provide more details of when this is happening, we can follow this up with the inspector or inspectors concerned."

I understand that you did not want to pursue the matter, I have heard a similar response from someone else, but as you can tell from the message above the inspector was just plain wrong!

If anyone else encounters this problem I would really appreciate hearing about it. One thing you might want to do is ask the inspector which particular cover they expect you to use, as there are none which are made to the correct size to be safe to use!

All the best,
David

most of my sockets are also covered by book cases, shelves and tables etc, so hopefully it wont come up during inspection. I will leave them in for now and then bring it up if she does and see what happens, I dont fancy a fight with the inspector on my first inspection!!!

I will have the info in my folder and ask her if it crops up for RA's etc and see what the feedback is that I get, maybe this can filter back up the line if changes need to be made etc

thanks,

Sara

now ive always used socket covers, we did with my younger brother and sister too all those years ago...one of the my inspector said was about socket covers:rolleyes: and how it was nice to see i was well prepared ...our house is designed with plug socketshalf way upthe wall (for people with disabilities) so hard to cover with anything other than socket covers

i teach the children (under 2s) not to touch lots of "ouchy" noises when ever i touch it too if they are near over exagerating how much they hurt;)

i cant imagine to be honest not having them, its part of myroutine everyday to check ive put it back in once ive hoovered
time for a new plan

xx

I dont use the pin ones, I use ones that cover the whole of the socket in the areas that are used for minding...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUALITY-LOCKABLE-SAFETY-PLUG-SOCKET-COVER-AND-2-KEYS-/25085

these ones :) covers the socket, plugs and switches...

happy days :)

You can buy these double locking ones through Amazon/the Forum and at the same time help the Forum a little!:thumbsup:

Lockable Socket covers (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000X1BOK6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000X1BOK6%22%3EUniversal%20Double%20 Socket%20Cover%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=2&a=B000X1BOK6%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%2 0border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:non e%20%21important;%20margin:0px%20%21important;)

those ones pauline are little push in clips, not as good as the socket safe ones with the keys...

:)

Socketman, please can I direct you to this thread -

http://childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=960073#post960073

I wonder if you might be able to support the member. :D

It's disheartening to see from the thread Sara links to that despite what Ofsted says there are still individual insepectors who haven't got the message.

The text book for the Cypop5 course (which all potential childminders now have to do) Home-based Childcare by Sheila Riddall-Leech, published last year, gives this advice: 'Fit covers to all electric sockets'. In the relevant task, I said they were now known to be unsafe and gave the address of the Fatally Flawed website

Wow I didnt know this..I have emailed Ofsted to ask and when they reply I will have written evidence to show the inspector who is due here soon

Becky

June brought this subject up with our Improvement Officer when she made her first visit last week! She was going away to research it!!!

I've added some policy writing help to the free downloads, there is a variety of information put together by myself, Sarah and David from Fatally Flawed, hopefully it will assist you in writing a policy on why you don't use socket covers.

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/freeresources/freedownloads.html

down on the left under 'Policy Writing Ideas'

:thumbsup:

Hi, Wow this is confusing - I had never heard of this being a problem before. Thank you for bringing it up:) I am soon to have my very first ofsted inspection. On balance do you think I am better off fitting covers (possibly appeasing an individual inspector) or leaving them off and hoping the inspector agrees with the party line?!
Cheers!

I was quite surprised to receive 2 socket covers in a goody bag from our newly opened childrens centre yesterday. I was back at home before I got the stuff out, but will be asking about their inclusion when I go back next week.

I contacted Child Accident Protection Trust and ROSPA, they both said more or less the same thing



The advice we have one of our websites is as follows:

- Electrical sockets do not pose a significant threat to young children. Legislation requires all sockets to meet stringent safety requirements. Young children are unlikely to have the dexterity or patience needed to be able to access live parts inside the socket, as they are protected by a shutter. Little fingers wont fit.
- Socket covers may stop young children plugging in heaters, hair straighteners and other appliances that can cause nasty burns – or even start a fire – but don’t rely on them as socket covers are not regulated. It’s much better to make sure the appliances are safely put away!

When one looks at injury statistics, one finds that electrocution is extremely rare among children and is almost never associated with sockets.

One problem you may have is that OFSTED seems to insist on socket covers for no good reason.

Thanks for that Bexc, I don't use socket covers and teach the children what they should not play with and why, it has worked so far. Afterall, many places that children go to with or without me do not have socket covers so it is better to teach them the risks. I wonder if nursery's have socket covers? If it isn't a requirement in the eyfs and I can show that I have balanced out the risks of not having them then I think ofsted should have to prove a case for using them before they can justify marking anyone down for not using them.

Thank you for reminding me about this. I stopped using socket covers when I read about this a while ago but never got round to changing my policy. Now it's all done and dusted ;)

Thanks for advice I am just updating risk assessments x

Been looking at the forum all night and this post really interests me. Just re-registered after having a 3 year break and when I had my unoffical childminding meeting, the NCA told me to make sure I had all my sockets covered ( which I was planning to as this is what I have always done). I was still in the middle of building work when I had my pre-inspection from Ofsted and they mentioned having my sockets covered too!

Got my developement worker coming out this friday as a welcome thing, so wanted to show her this to see what she said, so tried to get somesort of printout from Ofsteds website to say I didnt need them, but cant find it anywhere on the site, does someone have the link to it please.

Thanks Jackie

I have written on my risk assessment that l do not cover sockets and put the Fatally Flawed advice down.

Been looking at the forum all night and this post really interests me. Just re-registered after having a 3 year break and when I had my unoffical childminding meeting, the NCA told me to make sure I had all my sockets covered ( which I was planning to as this is what I have always done). I was still in the middle of building work when I had my pre-inspection from Ofsted and they mentioned having my sockets covered too!

Got my developement worker coming out this friday as a welcome thing, so wanted to show her this to see what she said, so tried to get somesort of printout from Ofsteds website to say I didnt need them, but cant find it anywhere on the site, does someone have the link to it please.

Thanks Jackie

You will find some information in free downloads at the top of the forum to support you.

Also there was a paragraph in the latest Ofsted newsletter stating that Ofsted inspectors are wrong to comment about socket covers.

Make sure they are all risk assessed and show that you are considering children's safety by talking to them about the dangers of sockets and you will be covered legally.

Hth :D

Here's the link to the Ofsted report, it's B3 that talks about socket covers

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/early-years-september-2011

My 1st inspection is due, and I had come onto the forum to look for some other help/ideas, and came across this thread.

I cannot tell you how totally shocked I am, not just as a childminder, but as a parent, and previous nursery worker! I have never heard of this before, and cannot believe that socket covers are so dangerous!

I am about to go and remove all of my socket covers, and will have to add updating the policy and risk assessments onto my never-ending list of things to get done before ofsted inspector arrives!

Thanks to the forum poster for bringing this to everyone's attention!

Got my developement worker coming out this friday as a welcome thing, so wanted to show her this to see what she said, so tried to get somesort of printout from Ofsteds website to say I didnt need them, but cant find it anywhere on the site, does someone have the link to it please.

Thanks Jackie

MY DO worker came today as planned and I asked her about this, she still say Mrs O will want covers in place, told her am willing to argue why I shouldnt use them and was told, thats up to me, but what she knows is until something happens the ofsted inspectors she knows, will always want tthem in childminder and playgroups etc.
Told her that I will stop using them and update RA and hopefully by next time I have my inspection ( should be around march next year) hopefully, Ofsted are also reading of the same song sheet as RoSPA!

Wow I was totaly unaware of this , I shall certainly give it some thought

I was inspected in Sept and I don't have any socket covers. I had the Policy from the free downloads here, some info from Fatally Flawed and the comment from Ofsted all in my RA folder. I got Outstanding in all areas to do with keeping the children safe and child protection. The Inspector never even mentioned or asked about the lack of covers.

As Sarah has said as long as you have a good RA then the inspector is not allowed to comment. Your DO is wrong.

My inspector didn't even look at any of my plug sockets (or my kitchen, toilet & upstairs), she came in sat on the sofa, I took the children out to play in the garden, apart from coming out to speak to me for about 10mins she sat on the sofa with my paperwork for 2hrs & didn't move (I could see her from the garden)! We even sat outside & had a picnic lunch in that time!:rolleyes:

There was nothing detailing why I didn't have plug sockets in my paperwork either!

I got a good with outstanding areas!:clapping:

I read this thread, late last night, and have since gone onto the fatally flawed website and looked at the videos!

I am totally gobsmacked as this, as it is natural instinct to think, let's pit a socket cover on any exposed sockets!!!

Hugely grateful to the poster and the creators of the website for this information!

Soo wish I'd read this before yesterday!!!

Covers were briefly mentioned in my cypop course workshop but I kept my trap shut, by that point in the day I was bored and really questioning my career path :(

but there was a positive mention of having to use socket covers!

I have Ofsted due over the next 3 weeks (only got eyfs age kid on a weds) hopefully wont get a dumb one

We covered this in a network meeting the other day. Apparently Ofsted will not say you should or should not use them, it is down to your risk assessment so individuals choice. However if you have any socket covers in place at all you need to use them in every single socket including those hidden behind chairs etc as you have assessed them as necessary. Obviously most of us will agree its better not to use them but I thought I would add this incase anyone has any stray ones knocking around as that is where you will have a problem (at least if the inspector knows the guidelines!)

Soo wish I'd read this before yesterday!!!

Covers were briefly mentioned in my cypop course workshop but I kept my trap shut, by that point in the day I was bored and really questioning my career path :(

but there was a positive mention of having to use socket covers!

I have Ofsted due over the next 3 weeks (only got eyfs age kid on a weds) hopefully wont get a dumb one

As long as you have a RA explaining briefly why you choose not to use socket covers you will be fine. I don't use them and I was inspected, we have had an extension built and all new wiring so all the sockets are half up the wall now and the inspector never even mentioned it.

will take mine out today :thumbsup:

I thought it might be helpful to add the following information to this thread, it is taken from page 11 of an Ofsted document that you can find here (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/filedownloading/?file=documents/other-publications/e/Early%20years%20September%202011.pdf&refer=1).

"Childcare safety issue – electrical socket covers
Some inspectors are continuing to make judgements about risks to children when inspecting childcare settings where the provider has decided not to use electrical socket covers on exposed sockets.

Our position on the use of electrical socket covers has not changed. We neither encourage nor discourage the responsible use of socket covers as part of a risk-assessed approach to electrical safety. In line with the relevant requirements for registration, it is up to each individual registered provider to demonstrate to us that the environment is safe for children and meets legal requirements. 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 any dangers associated with electric sockets and appliances.

Inspectors should not set actions or make recommendations in relation to the use of socket covers and should not refer specifically to these in their reports. If a provider is unsure whether or not to use socket covers and asks our advice, we should refer them to 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 and the type of sockets considered as ‘safe’."

The last phrase is both curious and pointless, the standard UK socket, introduced in 1945, has always been safe as it has built in safety shutters. Providing you are using flat pin sockets, not round pin, you are safe.

Thanks Socketman :thumbsup:

I had my inspection 6 weeks ago and haven't used socket covers for several years. The inspector didn't mention anything about them although I have an I formation sheet from the fatally flawed website in a file. I also gave all the parents one a long time ago

I was the same in Sept. I have risk assessed and have info with this and the inspector didn't even mention or question that I have no socket covers anymore.

I was told by the Fire Brigade when I had my fire inspection that I should definately use socket covers. They say that a child can still push an object into the socket and push the pins to one side.

Its all very confusing getting conflicting advice from different sources!

I was told by the Fire Brigade when I had my fire inspection that I should definately use socket covers. They say that a child can still push an object into the socket and push the pins to one side.

Its all very confusing getting conflicting advice from different sources!

Please ask your Fire Brigade what socket covers they would recommend. I say this because there are no standards for socket covers, and therefore no regulation (apart from the requirement that if a child tries to eat a cover it will neither poison nor choke them). We know that there are no socket covers which are the correct size to safely place in a socket, and that oversized pins can permanently damage socket contacts, giving rise to the potential to overheat and catch fire. If a Fire Brigade wishes to recommend that you use covers they have to be prepared to state which covers and be prepared to stand behind that recommendation.

I was told by the Fire Brigade when I had my fire inspection that I should definately use socket covers. They say that a child can still push an object into the socket and push the pins to one side.

Its all very confusing getting conflicting advice from different sources!

I would challenge anyone to find anything that was small enough that the children would be unsupervised with that would actually fit. The they have to be strong enough to actually push it in the hole and move the shutter!!! So unlikely that it is a very small risk to take.

Thanks Socketman :thumbsup:

Socketman, you are a safety superhero!

I had no idea these things were so dangerous. :eek:

Socketman, you are a safety superhero!

I just read this and now have visions of a superman kind of character flying in to the rescue:laughing:

I just read this and now have visions of a superman kind of character flying in to the rescue:laughing:

It's a blockbuster 3D movie trilogy based on the best selling graphic/young adult/prize winning novels that is just begging to be made! :)

or something...

Thanks for that information. Quite scary especially when i thought sockets covers were safe.

Very interesting - thanks for the info

Socketman, you are a safety superhero!

I had no idea these things were so dangerous. :eek:


Hi All,
It is a while since I last visited this thread, so I only just found out about my elevation! Thank you very much.

MK, the leading socket manufacturer, recently endorsed the FatallyFlawed campaign, you can see their statement on our home page, www.fatallyflawed.org.uk (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk)

With respect to the Fire Brigade references above, I am still very keen to hear about advice from fire officers. I recently came across official advice from West Midlands Fire Service, they are quite clearly warning against socket covers, see
http://www.wmfs.net/content/plug-socket-covers (http://www.wmfs.net/content/plug-socket-covers)

Best wishes, David

I have to defend the ofsted inspector i had in light of this. She pointed out to me that they are now frowned upon during my pre reg visit. So i havent put any in place, even though some of my sockets are mid way up the wall in my play room. It seems so hit and miss as to which inspector you get. We all deserve more consistency from them i think!

OK I think we now need to see how many uses we can put our redundant socket covers to!

They make good wind mobiles, they scratch painty pictures really well, make little picnic tables for ladybirds, squish into playdough, errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrm
Over to someone else...............!

Thank you so much for this thread. I've never heard about it before, we've never used them as I think it kind of misses the point of teaching children about safety with electricity anyway but it's nice to know I have some information to give people that don't approve!

We covered this in a network meeting the other day. Apparently Ofsted will not say you should or should not use them, it is down to your risk assessment so individuals choice. However if you have any socket covers in place at all you need to use them in every single socket including those hidden behind chairs etc as you have assessed them as necessary. Obviously most of us will agree its better not to use them but I thought I would add this in case anyone has any stray ones knocking around as that is where you will have a problem (at least if the inspector knows the guidelines!)


In light of the info above, I'd welcome peoples advice on this:

I am pre-reg and planning to use my son's bedroom for mindees naps - 1 in a travel cot and 1 on my son's bed with a bed guard and their own bedlinen. With his agreement I have made the room safe for young children, but there are 2 double sockets positioned just above mattress height. Even though I know a child's fingers won't fit and that there is nothing small within reach, for some reason I feel anxious about leaving another person's child lying next to an empty socket,* and I was wondering about getting those covers that go over the whole socket plate (like this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clippasafe-Electrical-Plug-Socket-Protector/dp/B003TFCB6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358675919&sr=8-1).) However, it sounds like if I do this, then I would have to cover every other socket plate, even though I am confident that there is no need...:ohdear:

*ETA I suppose it might be because unlike the rest of the time they are with in my care, at nap time they will be out of sight for 10-15minutes at a time in between me checking on them.

Any thoughts on any of this would be very helpful :)

In light of the info above, I'd welcome peoples advice on this:

I am pre-reg and planning to use my son's bedroom for mindees naps - 1 in a travel cot and 1 on my son's bed with a bed guard and their own bedlinen. With his agreement I have made the room safe for young children, but there are 2 double sockets positioned just above mattress height. Even though I know a child's fingers won't fit and that there is nothing small within reach, for some reason I feel anxious about leaving another person's child lying next to an empty socket,* and I was wondering about getting those covers that go over the whole socket plate (like this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clippasafe-Electrical-Plug-Socket-Protector/dp/B003TFCB6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358675919&sr=8-1).) However, it sounds like if I do this, then I would have to cover every other socket plate, even though I am confident that there is no need...:ohdear:

*ETA I suppose it might be because unlike the rest of the time they are with in my care, at nap time they will be out of sight for 10-15minutes at a time in between me checking on them.

Any thoughts on any of this would be very helpful :)

Hi Lisbet, it sounds as though you have thought this through and have reached a rational decision. If you state this in your risk assesment then I cannot imagine how any inspector could challenge you on it. Please remember that the instructions to inspectors (page 11 of an Ofsted document that you can find here (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/filedownloading/?file=documents/other-publications/e/Early%20years%20September%202011.pdf&refer=1)) include: "Inspectors should not set actions or make recommendations in relation to the use of socket covers and should not refer specifically to these in their reports."

Please also take a look at our FAQ on that type of cover: FAQ (http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/html/faq.html#Q8)

Best wishes, David

Saw this thread last night AFTER putting socket covers all round my house!

Took them all out this morning before Mrs O arrived for pre-reg. She was perfectly happy with my decision and very pleased to see the info from Fatally Flawed website, ie: I know why they aren't there and could explain it to her.

:-D

Thanks for your reply, David :thumbsup:

That factsheet was very helpful - The sockets are 4yrs old and in perfect condition, so I think I would only be making them less safe by unscrewing them to fit covers. Hope it's okay, but I've added some quotes from that factsheet to my Socket cover policy to help me explain to any parents that are unsure.

Hope it's okay, but I've added some quotes from that factsheet to my Socket cover policy to help me explain to any parents that are unsure.

Please feel free to use any of our material to help spread information.

David

Please see this new alert from the NHS requiring all NHS Trusts to withdraw socket covers from use:
https://www.cas.dh.gov.uk/ViewAndAcknowledgment/viewAlert.aspx?AlertID=102494

It says: "This Alert is issued to highlight how, in certain circumstances, the use of plastic 13A (13 amp) electrical socket inserts (sold as safety accessories) can overcome the safety features designed into socket outlets.13A electrical socket inserts should not be used in health or social care premises, nor supplied for use in a home or residence. Any socket inserts currently in use should be withdrawn from use and responsibly disposed of."

It appears that the NHS website has a problem with some browsers! If you have a problem, then try the following link instead: The Department of Health and NHS National Services Scotland have issued an 'Estates and Facilities Alert' about electrical socket covers/protectors (http://www.careinspectorate.com/news/3283-the-department-of-health-and-nhs-national-services-scotland-have-issued-an-estates-and-facilities-alert-about-electrical-socket-covers-protectors)

This follows on from recent warnings by Barnardos:
http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/Barnardo.pdf

Thank you for keeping us updated.

I haven't ever used covers and I have never had an issue with Ofsted during an Inspection with it. I have been a cm for 22 years.