Children are great explorers, rarely missing anything. Unfortunately, their curiosity can be dangerous if care providers aren't prepared. Electrical outlets can be directly in the line of sight for a child crawling around or playing on the floor. The small pattern of holes can be intriguing (in-tree-ging) to a child. A child's fingers may be too wide to fit into the outlet, but an enterprising experimenter may try to force other objects in for exploration. To avoid the injury of electrical shock, all electrical outlets should be covered. Outlet covers can be purchased, as well as electrical plates with built-in covers. It's a good idea to avoid covers decorated with pictures, as this can promote curiosity. Other items to be wary of are electrical fixtures. Family daycares and childcare centers shouldn't have any easily accessible fixtures, such as fuse or junction boxes or exposed wires. If an outlet cover is removed temporarily to accommodate an appliance, it's important to replace it as soon as possible.
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