‘Fatally Flawed’ campaign launched to raise awareness about the dangers of so-called “safety socket covers”

Members of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have launched a campaign known as “Fatally Flawed” in an attempt to get safety socket covers banned. The move follows tests by both the IET and Which? that identified the so-called safety socket covers as potential hazards.

The plug socket covers, which are meant as a safety measure, are designed to prevent children putting their fingers, or other instruments, into electrical wall sockets and possibly electrocuting themselves. However, the IET stresses that this is an unnecessary precaution because standard electrical sockets in the UK are probably the safest in the world. Due to a British safety standard dating back to 1947 the regular 13 Amp socket is fitted with internal shutters which cover the power contacts when there is no plug present. This prevents children from poking items into socket holes and electrocuting themselves, rendering socket covers a waste of money.

Further to this, both Which? and the IET believe that these covers could actually increase the risk of electrocution by undermining the safety measures that are already integrated into the 13A socket design. Tests revealed that most covers were extremely easy to remove by hand. If a young child removes the “safety” cover they could replace it upside down and this opens the socket’s internal shutters and exposes the live contacts, leaving them open to the risk of electrocution.

Thousands of parents and child carers across the UK buy the plug-in socket covers because they are unaware of the safety features of the standard 13A sockets and misguidedly believe that they are improving safety in their home. That’s why the IET have launched “Fatally Flawed” in an attempt to raise awareness of the BS 1363 standards that all sockets must conform to, and to emphasise the potential hazards involved in using the safety socket covers. They point out that, unlike power sockets, the socket covers are unregulated and may not have been tested for correct insulation.

There are numerous child safety issues regarding electricity which parents and other child carers need to be fully aware of. Hodgins Smith Consulting offers a health and safety course which is specifically aimed at child carers. It provides information and training in the essentials of health and safety and also clear guidance on legislation, obligations and the process of risk assessment and hazard spotting. Health and Safety for Child Carers is available for up to 12 delegates to be trained at your own venue or a location of your choice.

For further information, or to book a course, please call us today on 01292 678484 or e-mail info@hodginssmithcdm.co.uk