NHS Bans Socket Covers

[Shox Dr]

I always thought they were a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

Its the bubble wrap world we are forced to live in.

As for children pushing stuff in them.

DO YOUR JOB, AND KEEP AN EYE ON THEM. Its not like its hard.
I looked after our son for the first 12yrs, not once did he get into something he shouldn't have, because it was my job to make sure he didn't.

Not rely on some one else, and blame them when something goes wrong

 

[cumbriasteve]

As for children pushing stuff in them.

DO YOUR JOB, AND KEEP AN EYE ON THEM. Its not like its hard.

Oh now come on...be fair , how can you expect a parents full attention when there is Jeremy Kyle to watch and of course not forgetting the 8 hours a day compulsory input of no value rubbish they have to write on farcebook., twitter, snapchat, faceplant, bessymates and a few others I am not aware of.

 

[Jim Davey]

I'm not a fan of them, but I'd fit them if I had kiddies to look after (my girlfriend's kids are all old enough to know better now) but I think they are no more dangerous than any other electrical device. I have more of an issue with plug tops that come off when you pull on them, I much prefer the moulded type.

P.S. I replace sockets on my extension leads when the covers get snapped off them, helps to keep the water out.

 

[ford34/2]

I have to admit to using them and they are still in place this morning, we have a responsibility to look after two Grandchildren they get watched more than their parents would watch them I treasure them they are my resonsibility in my care we have had them since babies, sockets are at such a nice level to explore, now descisions, do we remove them or carry on thinking we are doing right and providing a safe environment to be cared in.Of course the circuit are MCB and on a split board with RCB
Stan.
Or Can I just cut the live pin off the safety plug?

 

[Jim Davey]

Not a good idea, as you can access the live terminal with a partially fitted safety plug if you did that.

 

[Robotstar5]

I have to admit to using them and they are still in place this morning, we have a responsibility to look after two Grandchildren they get watched more than their parents would watch them I treasure them they are my resonsibility in my care we have had them since babies, sockets are at such a nice level to explore, now descisions, do we remove them or carry on thinking we are doing right and providing a safe environment to be cared in.Of course the circuit are MCB and on a split board with RCB
Stan.
Or Can I just cut the live pin off the safety plug?

The issue is the plastic earth pin can be used to open the safety shutters on the live/neutral ports giving access for bits of metal etc. If the plastic covers are not fitted the safety shutters remain closed stopping access.

 

[Jim Davey]

When fully inserted you can't access anything, plus you don't see a hole which an inquisitive child might poke something into. I know the internal cover should prevent that but they can jam in the open position too so I (rightly or wrongly) see it as a belt and braces precaution. That and the fact they are a sod to remove even with strong fingers and I think they are a pretty effective barrier.

 

[Jim Davey]

I have screwdrivers, knives, water, solvents, cleaning products, stairs, opening windows in the roof and upper floors in my house and a thousand other items, all are potentially lethal if used wrongly but I'm keeping them AND the kids and we seem to survive ok. I think a bit of common sense needs putting into practice, I'm more worried about a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning than I ever would be about socket covers (and yes I have alarms for smoke, CM and fire ladders in all the kiddlies bedrooms so hopefully we can all get out should the worst happen)
There are far greater things to keep me awake than if a piece of nonconductive plastic might allow access to a live socket terminal IF a certain chain of events plays out.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Fair comment, but I think what sways it for me is the fact that you are adding something made of anything the manufacturer chooses and any dimensions the manufacturer chooses and which which meets no standard, to something that already meets the high safety standard of BS1363. Therefore I believe that you will only reduce the safety by adding nanny covers.

 

[Jim Davey]

All true, but I think its more difficult to get a live parts of a socket with the cover in place than it is without. Moot point though as I don't have toddlers in the house these days, but if I di, I think I'd fit them and it wouldn't give me any concerns. I think an outright ban is a bit over the top though.

 

[ajlelectronics]

How do you think live parts would be accessed? Even a knitting needle or screwdriver would not get past the shutters.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Here's a thought. How about a water spillage over the front of the socket? Would the nanny cover track that water in, potentially causing a shock hazard?

 

[Jim Davey]

You are assuming the spring loaded inner covers are always going to work. It's quite easy for them to jam in the open or partially open position. Plus if a child pokes something in the earth pin hole first, it opens the others anyway.
As for water spillage, I'd say it's 50/50 as to which socket would perform better, with or without the cover water can still get in. In fairness it's more likely to stay wet behind the cover for longer as it can trap the water. However it should trip the RCD if fitted.
I'd still say the socket is in the main safer with the cover than without but that's just my view. All you other grown-ups are free to make your own choices on behalf of those too young/incapable of making their own.

 

[brewdexta]

There is a lot of functional similarities between these covers and chastity belts, I wonder if the same regulations apply?

 

[normspanners]

There is a lot of functional similarities between these covers and chastity belts

HUM I thought plugs had 3pins and extreme chastity belts had only 2 ?? --------positive and negative or am I getting mixed up with AC and DC

 

[Pete.]

Better to find a way of blocking all the laptop adapter leads. A child might take the end of one of those and put it in it's mouth.

 

[wookie]

I'd be more concerned if they found my best drinking bleach and wasted it cleaning the sink or some such.

What this stuff ?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Wife beater?

 

[the snooper]

Wife beater?

Beer, its a poor excuse of a bloke that hits a woman

 

[ajlelectronics]

The Police I believe coined the phrase "wife beater" for cans of Stella Artois that often featured in such callouts.