There's enough dangers in the outside world, that we want to make sure our children are more than safe under our own roof. Talking to CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and Safe Kids Canada told us how to make sure that when we're child-proofing, we don't miss a thing....
What is the best way to outfit electrical outlets so they are safe for children? Any specific products to use?
The Canadian Electrical Code contains requirements that all new homes will be outfitted with tamper resistant receptacles, which is good news for young families buying their first home. Unlike removable plug caps, tamper-resistant receptacles are fixed in place with screws and have a built-in shutter systems designed to prevent single-pronged, foreign objects like pins, keys and nails from touching live electrical wires if inserted into the receptacle slots. The new receptacles are available at hardware and renovation stores and can be installed in existing outlets by a homeowner or electrician. There are a number of tamper-resistant receptacles on the market and they vary in price depending on the style. It is important for consumers to ensure that the receptacle is tested and certified by an accredited testing and certification organization such as CSA International. Products certified by CSA International will have a CSA mark on the packaging and on the product itself. The faceplate should also be marked “Tamper Resistant.”
What other areas of your home should be outfitted?
According to the CHIRPP report, 74 per cent of all electrical injuries took place in a child’s own home. Tamper-resistant receptacles should be installed in electrical outlets that are within reach of small children and near play areas. Extra care should also be taken to ensure that power bars with multiple outlets are not within reach of children and that children are not left unattended near any electrical product. Even with the new CE Code requirements, parental supervision is very important when children are playing around electrical outlets.
I know that there are new safety measures this year, can you explain these?
In addition to new tamper-resistant receptacles, the CE Code has requirements calling for carbon monoxide alarms to be permanently installed and connected directly to a home’s electricity rather than rely on battery. In addition to providing constant power, alarms will be interconnected to ensure that if an alarm is triggered on one level of a home, others will sound throughout the home so everyone has time to evacuate if there is a carbon monoxide leak.
There are also new requirements for swimming pools that use salt water to ensure that any electrical components such as lights are not at an increased risk due to corrosion from the salt.
If renovating your home or purchasing a new home, is there anything a parent can look for in terms of extra safety precautions?
It is important to ensure that all electrical, gas and plumbing products, appliances, tools and fixtures have been tested and certified to all applicable standards by an accredited organization such as CSA International and that the products bear a recognized certification mark.
Buy only from reputable retailers or suppliers with clearly stated return policies and be aware of counterfeit products. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Any other electrical safety tips for in and around the home Canadians parents and caregivers should be aware of?
CSA International has numerous safety tips online for electrical and a variety of other products. Consumers can visit www.csasafetytips.com to view the tips. Parents can find even more information about keeping their home safe for children by going to Safe Kids Canada's website at www.safekidscanada.ca.
CSA develops standards that are all about life, about creating safer environments for work, home and play but standards alone cannot prevent all mishaps. It is important for parents to educate themselves and their children about potential hazards in the home, to be vigilant with their children and to have an emergency plan in place.
The Canadian Standards Association is a not-for-profit membership-based association serving business, industry, government and consumers in Canada and the global marketplace. CSA works in Canada and around the world to enhance public safety.
Safe Kids Canada promotes effective strategies to prevent unintentional injuries. Founded in 1992, by Dr. David Wesson, a surgeon at The Hospital for Sick Children, who realized that many of his medical cases were caused by incidents that were predictable and preventable.