As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child from harm. One area where it is easy to overlook potential danger is around lamps and other light fixtures. With a few simple safety tips, you can help keep your child safe around lights and lamps.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF LAMPS
Lamps are a common source of household accidents. Each year, children are injured by falling lamps, burning themselves on hot lamps, and pulling light fittings down on themselves.
To help prevent these accidents, it is important to teach your children about the dangers of lights and lamps. Explain to them that lamps can fall over and break and that the glass can be very sharp. Teach them it's important not to touch the broken glass or the hot parts of the lamp. If they see a broken lamp, they should tell an adult immediately.
EXPLAIN THAT LAMPS CAN BE VERY HOT
Most children are fascinated by lamps, especially if they have a fun shape or design. Unfortunately, this can also be a dangerous curiosity. If a child touches a hot lamp, they could burn themselves.
To help prevent this, it's important to explain to your child that lamps can be very hot and that they should never touch the bulb. Explain that even the metal around a bulb can be hot and that they should be careful not to touch it.
You can reduce the risks of burning by replacing any old incandescent bulbs with low-wattage LED bulbs. These bulbs stay cooler, even when they are on for a long time.
LED Bulbs
TEACH OLDER KIDS TO TURN LAMPS OFF WHEN THEY LEAVE THE ROOM
Another hazard that comes with lamps is the risk of fire. If a lamp is left on and unattended, it could start a fire. It's never a good idea to leave any kind of light on when you're not in the room, but it's especially important with lamps.
Older kids should be taught to turn lamps off whenever they leave the room. If they are forgetful, you can install timers on lamps or plug them into light switches that can be turned off from a distance.
Younger children, who should not be turning lamps on and off, can be taught to ask an adult to turn the light off for them.
You can now buy lamps with modern touch sensors that make it easy for even very young children to turn them on and off without having to reach for a switch.
REGULARLY CHECK LAMPS FOR DAMAGE
Lamps can be dangerous even when they are not turned on. If a lamp is damaged, it could fall over and break, or the glass could shatter. It's important to regularly check your lamps.
If a lamp is turned on, the heat from the lightbulb can make the metal parts of the lamp very hot. This can cause burns if someone touches it. It's also important to keep lamps away from flammable materials, such as curtains or blankets.
Regularly check the flex and cords of your lamps for damage. If you see any fraying or exposed wires, unplug the lamp at the socket.
PLACE LAMPS OUT OF REACH OF SMALL CHILDREN
Kids are curious by nature and love to explore their surroundings. This can often lead to them touching or playing with things that they shouldn't, including electrical items such as lamps.
While lamps may not seem dangerous to adults, they can pose a risk to very small children. If you have young kids in your home, it's best to keep lamps on high shelves or in closed cabinets where they can't get to them.
Ensure that cords are not dangling down where kids can reach them, as they could pull the lamp over on top of themselves.
Floor lamps are a particular hazard to toddlers, as they easily topple over (the lamps and the kids!). It's best to avoid these altogether in homes with young kids. If you must have a floor lamp, make sure it is placed well out of reach of curious little hands.
GARAGE SALE AND THRIFT STORE LAMPS
Take care with second-hand lights
You can be sure when buying lamps in stores or online at Amazon that they have been safety tested and meet all the required standards for the country of sale. However, this is not always the case when buying second-hand lamps from garage sales or thrift stores.
Before plugging in a used lamp, it is important to inspect it for damage. Check the cord for fraying or exposed wires, and ensure the plug is not cracked. Also, look at the lamp's base to ensure it is not wobbly or broken.
If you are unsure about a used lamp, it is best to avoid it altogether. There are plenty of new lamps available that are very inexpensive. It's not worth the risk to your safety to buy a used one.
QUICK TIPS
• Installing timers to prevent leaving lamps on too long
• Teach children to turn off lights when they're not in the room
• Buy lamps with touch sensors for easy use by young children
• Check lamps for damage regularly to avoid burns or fires
• Place lamps out of reach of small children to avoid injury
• Make sure cords are not dangling down where kids can reach them
• Floor lamps are a particular hazard to toddlers, so avoid using them if you have young kids in the home
• When buying a used lamp, inspect it for damage before plugging it in
We hope you’ve found this information useful. Remember to always take care when choosing lamps and lights for your home, and be sure to check the safety features on any products before making a purchase.
Have a look at our range of lamps suitable for a child's room – they come with all the necessary safety features so that you can relax knowing your child is safe and sound in their bedroom. Thanks for reading!
