Socket covers

**Chell** · 21-12-2009, 08:40 PM

Just looking at risk assessments before my pre-reg visit.

Am I expected to use socket covers on all plug points? I've never used them for my own children.

**Blackhorse** · 21-12-2009, 08:43 PM

there is a big thread on this somewhere.

seems they dont have any british standards and can be dangerous.
I am not using them and told Ofsted why and they were happy abou it.

I think there is also a video about it on youtube.

and british sockets have a switch off thing and an internal shutter that make them safe and can be made unsafe by some of these plucks..

**sarah707** · 21-12-2009, 09:08 PM

Here's the website -

http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/

It is a matter of each inspector's judgement... some say you must have them or you are not safe, some will listen to your reasoning that socket covers have been proven to do more harm than good in some instances.

I use them... I was told to years ago by an inspector and it's just habit now but I'm not saying I am right.

If you don't use them then you must risk assess how you keep children safe near sockets in all rooms children access.

hth

**Blackhorse** · 21-12-2009, 09:13 PM

someone posted a link to a page where you can get socket covers that encase the entire socket bit (not the little plug in things)
these meant to be safer I think...will go looking for them as I want some in the hall..

all my other ''accessible'' sockets are behind cubboards...

**Pauline** · 26-12-2009, 02:49 PM

This was the thread where David from fatally flawed came and explained in more detail:

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=20260

provided you can explain to Ofsted how you keep the children safe you do not have to use them.