Guest Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Hi everyone Please could you share your views on whether to use socket covers in the early years setting or not Look forward to hearing your replies THANKYOU in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_1469 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 well, you don't HAVE to, but we have ours covered, only because one of the children we had a few years ago, was found by his dad, shoving two screwdrivers into the socket holes..............and was about to shove the third one in!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 SCARY. I feel like there's more reason to use them than not to use them but have recently read an article against them and that its not a regulation to use them which I was quite shocked about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_11396 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 This is an old chestnut that reappears from time time. If you google there is lots of thoughts on having or not having them. We prefer to have them in our Village Hall. Think you have to calculate the risks and deal with accordingly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_9650 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 We were given a handout by our LA that said it is more dangerous to use them than not!! Thankfully in our church hall there are no low level sockets so we don't use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I was told by an Ofsted inspector that the covers themselves can be turned round and other implements stuck in the hole will then make it live. Children surely see them everywhere they go and the less attention turned to them the better. As long as adults are vigilant children should be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 thanks for your replies everyone I think we'll weigh up the pros and cons at a staff meeting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_7120 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Getting them out is hard enough ....I have nails that proved it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_44476 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 On a first aid course I finished on Thursday they said you don't need them if you've got an rcd (if that's what it's called!!?) circuit board with trip switches. If this is the case there is absolutely no way a child could come to any harm even if they shoved 3 metal things in at once! It will always trip before any harm comes to the person. Personally though I am still leaving ours in as I can see there is still a chance of them shoving bits in there which could get stuck and be a nuisance! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_1469 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Tell you what..................YOU do it, I'll come and watch! I'd love to have been at your first aid course.....the trainer is an idiot. 'IF you have a RCB'..............., Personally, I'm not about to take any kind of risks with any child in my care........ever. You don't have to have the coves, it's true, but I choose to put them on and they are very had to get off.......unbelievable first aider! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_8885 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I second Narnia. Quite frankly are we now to be qualified electricians to know whether the RCB is in fact certified? And that is if you have one. I cover all sockets and yes they are a pain to get out. Goodness, if Ofsted are looking at whether sockets covers can be turned around Phoebe123, I am concerned they have lost the plot! Quite frankly I would have challenged them to give me a demonstration on turning them around and sticking something in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_19762 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Whoa - I will 'third' that! We have had a long discussion about this before........mine are covered and will remain covered - despite any advice given to the contrary..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_39602 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 We use them and will continue to do , prevention is better than cure or death ! Saying that our electrician did mention the other week that they cause more harm as they are not properly designed and therefore forced in which can cause damage to the socket in turn making it more dangerous. Trust your instinct and common sense - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_39602 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_44476 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 No way I'm trying it narnia!!! We have a full electrical safety check every 5 years so know our whole system is safe as was only done a couple of months ago but still as I said before I'm leaving them in as would be silly not to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_19733 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 See the 'fatally flawed' article that Lashes has put as a link. It explains it all and why I say NO to socket covers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_30128 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 ive seen someone make a connection with a light bulb socket before......didn't know people could fly! The burn in his foot was also interesting as it had earthed through the floor. Will still be using socket covers here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_7120 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 'Normally it is quite difficult to find an object which will do that, and stay in place'. Um 'Normally' doesn't mean impossible does it, and i'm not convinced that if a child could turn the socket cover around and just push the top pin in then they couldn't find other things to do the same, why not just make them with out the top pin (some how), i dont see how you'd get one of the bottom pins in the top hole because of the angles and the other pin not allowing one to go in by itself...no expert obviously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_44476 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 http://www.wmfs.net/content/plug-socket-covers Interesting, seen as they are not recommended I wonder what their take would be on it if heaven forbid something happened and socket blanks were being used? Maybe I will look at in more detail and think about not using them anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_8282 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 We do not use the covers, and I have very easily been able to insert one upside down to test the theory. (It was done with one from a major chain outlet, although I did have trouble with a much older style cover) That said, we do try and ensure our sockets are covered by our units anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_7120 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) this is a statement from a not so long ago ofsted inspection - 'In addition, staff do not fully demonstrate an awareness of the potential hazards of children being able to touch electric switches' - interesting if there's no danger ? Someone ...ofsted, county, gov should step up and say you should/shouldn't have them before a setting makes the wrong call one way or the other and doesn't have a leg to stand on Edited October 26, 2014 by Mouseketeer 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_12805 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Well- our socket all have covers in them and quite frankly it takes us so long to take one out that (always end up breaking nails on them) that for a child to be unsupervised for long enough to not only take it out but then turn it around and put back in I find difficult to believe.I woul dhope that no child in my care was ever ignored for long enough to do all that. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_8885 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 I think as professionals we have to take charge of our own settings and not become fearful of the supposed 'powers that be.' I think in Early Years we need to stand up for what we know is right for our setting due to our experience and working on a day to day basis rather than accept the recommendations of those that perhaps have no experience or idea of what it is like to work with children in an individual nursery/pre-school. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_13453 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I think that unless you can box cover the whole thing, there is no way of making a socket totally safe. Plugs could be partly removed, children with wet hands from water play could poke or switch. There used to be plastic covers that hinged over the whole thing that clipped into place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_3735 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 a quick search came up with a site that has socket covers of all types, not the basic plug in ones, but box covers for single and double sockets plus what they call ultra secure ones... so if concerned maybe an investment in these.. http://www.safetots.co.uk/Safety-Essentials/Plug-Socket-Covers/c1_17/index.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cathy m Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I haven't used them for several years, it's worth looking at the fatally flawed website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Our building is only 4 years old - so we choose not to have them in. Based upon the fact that the covers make them live. Have considered the boxed covers though - but struggled to find one that was sturdy enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_43256 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I asked Ofsted this one and was sent back the usual refer to point blah blah, and make your own judgement. We had a full H & S inspection by the council and she didn't know. Still on the fence despite looking at fatally flawed a few times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_43256 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 UPDATE: Just read this in an Ofsted report. I am guessing it was highlighted as the risk assessment said sockets should be covered and were not, wonder if it would have been noted if it was omitted completely. For example, the safety check for the day of the inspection, states that electric sockets are safe, however, a number of safety covers are missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonyMouse_39602 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Possibly not as those who choose not to use them can argue or present their reasoning for not doing so whereas having them on a risk assessment and then not actually having them is contradicting and highlights the error or oversight by setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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