Safety socket covers

[spurslady]

I am trying to find any information on different types of Safety socket covers for my sister, her son manages to pull out ordinary ones. I had seen some that had to have the actual prong from a plug to pull them out, but I cannot remember where I saw them.

I have the conventional ones as my children don't bother with them.

TIA

[boobesque]

here is the prong ones
http://www.thebabycatalogue.com/prodinfo.asp?n umber=BSA338

Or you can get these
http://www.thebabycatalogue.com/prodinfo.asp?n umber=K0255

[spurslady]

Thank you I will email the information to my sister. I like the idea of the double coer.

[boobesque]

They were what my mum used when my brother was a baby, still there now and he is 14 lol, i am getting the prong ones when my lo is crawling, broken many nails on the other ones!

[scoobybob]

Hi, I am just wondering why socket covers are necessary? My little one is just over a year and is crawling everywhere but my understanding was that electric sockets were designed with safety in mind. What I mean is, unless he gets hold of 2 thin bits of metal and manages to prod them in the correct holes after turning the socket on then he is safe! His chubby little fingers won't fit in the holes anyway.

I don't wish to cause offence as we all want to do everything we can to protect our precious bundles - I just think some companies try to feed parents paranoia (sorry, can't spell that!)

[spurslady]

Its for my sister. She does get overly paranoid and says that her 2 year old manages to pull her existing type out and then tries to actually put things in the holes.

Her kids are very naughty and do things to wind her up on purpose.

[fatallyflawe]

I would like to draw attention to the DANGERS of using socket covers.

Since the 1940's the 13A power sockets used in the UK have had to incorporate a shutter mechanism which prevents anything but a power plug being inserted into them, thus little fingers cannot touch anything dangerous. Socket covers will fit into a socket because they are designed to be the same shape as a power plug, however small differences in their design mean that it is possible to insert them upside down into the earth socket only, this disables the safety mechanism and renders the socket dangerous.

See www.fatallyflawed.org.uk for more information.

I write as a qualified electrical engineer and fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the professional body for UK engineers.