Child Electrical Safety at Home
Children are naturally curious — and electrical outlets are inexplicably attractive. Each year thousands of Egyptian children experience home electrical incidents. Most are preventable with simple installation steps and awareness.
By the Ases Kahraba team — Last updated: February 2026
Quick Answer
Complete guide to protecting children from electrical hazards at home — outlet covers, installation requirements, and how to teach your child electrical awareness.
Steps to Protect Children from Electrical Hazards
- Socket covers: an immediate, low-cost solution — plastic covers block outlet holes and prevent children inserting fingers or objects. Widely available at minimal cost.
- Shuttered outlets: the professional solution — the outlet only opens when both terminals are pressed simultaneously (like a full plug). Better than removable covers that children may pull out.
- Installation height: in children's rooms and shared areas, install outlets at least 1.5 m from the floor — not at the usual low height.
- 30 mA RCD on all circuits: if a child contacts electrical current, the RCD cuts power within 30 milliseconds — fast enough to save their life.
- Hiding cables: charger and extension cables on the floor pose double danger — a child may trip or chew them. Use cable duct or hidden conduit routes.
- Awareness education: from age 3, teach your child that electricity is dangerous — never touch outlets, stay away from wires, and tell you immediately if they see anything unusual.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age does electrical danger begin for children?
Real danger begins when crawling starts (~8 months) when the child reaches and touches everything. Increases when walking begins (~12 months). Safety measures should be applied before reaching these stages.
Are outlet covers enough or do I need shuttered outlets?
Plastic covers are a good temporary solution but older children (3–5 years) can remove them. Built-in shuttered outlets are the permanent, safer solution for families with young children.
Does an RCD protect a child from full electric shock?
A 30 mA RCD cuts power in 30–40 milliseconds — fast enough to prevent death in most cases. But it doesn't prevent pain and trauma. The ideal goal is preventing access to electricity in the first place.
Are low cables on the floor a real hazard for children?
Yes, a dual hazard. First: tripping and fall risk. Second: young children put everything in their mouths — chewing an electrical cable is fatal. Cables must be in hidden conduit or protected routes.
What does childproofing a home's electrics cost?
Basic (outlet covers, cable hiding, RCD check): EGP 500–2,000. Installing shuttered outlets in all rooms: EGP 2,000–5,000. Raising outlet height in children's rooms: depends on rooms. Contact us for assessment.