Introduction: Safety First for Growing Families
When you’ve got little ones in the house, everything becomes a potential hazard and electricity is one of the biggest. From curious fingers poking into sockets to wobbly furniture leaning into cords, your home can present real risks without the right precautions.
At Handcock Electrical, we’ve worked with families across Perth and greater WA to help create safer, smarter electrical setups that grow with your children.
In this article, we’ll guide you through practical electrical safety tips tailored for households with young kids, and where our professional electrical services can help.
1. Install Childproof Power Point Covers
Children are naturally curious and power points at eye level are magnets for little fingers.
Tip:
Use tamper-resistant power point covers or built-in child-safety outlets throughout your home. These prevent accidental shocks if a child tries to insert objects into the socket.
Handcock Electrical can install upgraded, safety-rated sockets that comply with the latest Australian standards, a permanent solution with cleaner aesthetics than cheap plastic caps.
2. Secure Loose Cords and Power Boards
Dangling cords and overloaded power boards are not just unsightly, they’re tripping hazards and electrocution risks.
Tip:
Use cable management systems to keep cords tidy, and avoid running leads under rugs or behind furniture where overheating can occur.
We can assess your home for overloaded circuits and offer solutions like hardwired USB ports, additional outlets, or upgraded circuits to reduce the need for unsafe multi-boards.
3. Avoid Overloading Power Points in Kids’ Rooms
Between nightlights, baby monitors, humidifiers and white noise machines, your nursery might be working harder than you realise.
Tip:
Never piggyback double adapters. Stick to one plug per socket wherever possible.
Our team can add extra outlets in children’s rooms including ones with built-in timers for nightlights giving you peace of mind and more flexibility.
4. Position Lamps, Heaters & Appliances Out of Reach
Small heaters or lamps on low furniture are easily knocked over by toddlers.
Tip:
Mount wall lights or use high shelving for lamps in nurseries or playrooms. Keep heaters secured, with cords tucked away.
Our electricians can help reposition fittings or install ceiling lights and fans as safer alternatives.
5. Install RCDs and Safety Switches
Every WA home should be fitted with Residual Current Devices (RCDs), these cut power immediately when a fault is detected.
Tip:
Test your RCDs monthly using the “test” button. If unsure, have a licensed electrician check your switchboard.
If you’re unsure whether your RCDs meet current regulations, Handcock Electrical can inspect and upgrade your system to protect your family 24/7.
6. Teach Electrical Safety Early
It’s never too soon to start building awareness. Teaching kids the basics (e.g., don’t touch sockets, keep water away from power) creates lifelong safety habits.
Tip:
Use age-appropriate books or videos to introduce electrical safety in a fun, memorable way.
We’re always happy to share family-friendly safety resources and even help with presentations at local schools or community groups.
7. Consider a Family Safety Audit
Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s dangerous when you live there every day.
Tip:
Schedule a Home Electrical Safety Check with a licensed electrician, especially if you’ve recently had a baby, moved house, or are renovating.
Handcock Electrical offers custom home safety audits, where we review all outlets, switches, cords, and appliances for kid-safe compliance.
8. Plan for the Future
As your family grows, your electrical needs change.
Tip:
Think about extra outlets in playrooms, child-safe lighting in hallways, and robust outdoor power for backyard play equipment.
From planning a nursery to prepping your home for energetic toddlers or teens, we can future-proof your electrical layout to meet your evolving lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Creating an electrically safe environment for your kids isn’t just about rules, it’s about building peace of mind.
At Handcock Electrical, we bring over a decade of trusted experience helping Perth families protect what matters most.
If you’re unsure whether your current home setup is child-safe, or you’re ready for an upgrade, our qualified electricians are just a call away.
