Child Safety Foundation of New Zealand
- Always use socket safety guards in plug sockets
- Teach an older child to pull a plug out by the plug and not the cord
- Discourage children from playing with electrical outlets
- Ensure iron cords are out of reach
- Power tools are not toys
- Ensure all power tools are out of reach or locked away
- Unplug sewing machine when not in use
- Never hang wired from nails
- Always use a transformer when using electric cords outside
- Ensure electric cords are not lying in traffic areas
- Never remove third ground prong from electrical plugs
- Always have cords out of the way when using a heater
- Teach your child to stay away from outdoor power lines and transformers
- Teach your child to fly kites away from power lines
- Always ensure your home has a current electrical safety Certificate of Compliance
- Replace any damaged or frayed cords
- Avoid using octopus outlets
- Don’t run power cords under carpeting
- Extension cords should be heavy enough to handle an appliance
- Ensure electric jug cords are out of reach
- Know the location of your fuse box
- Always have a spare fuse handy
- Check the amperage when replacing a fuse
- Teach your child to wait until a light bulb is cool before touching
- Teach your child to keep hands out of waste disposals etc.
- Ensure all night lights are placed away from bedding and curtains
- Teach your child not to touch an appliance with wet hands
- Keep electrical appliances out of bathrooms
- Teach younger children to stay away from stereo and VCR equipment. They are not toys
- Appliances should be unplugged when not in use
- Use an oven lock on your oven door.
This checklist has been kindly provided by the New Zealand Child Safety Foundation, one of New Zealand’s least known but most valuable charitable foundations. Established in 1985 as the New Zealand Safe Playing Trust to teach safety to pre-school and early primary school pupils, the Child Safety Foundation NZ was renamed in 1993. The Foundation is not funded by the Government and derives it’s funding from donations and fundraising. The foundation, through the generosity of its sponsors and other limited funding does manage to provide worthwhile services to support young families.
