Although this site is mainly concerned with the safety of BS 1363 Sockets there are other electrical dangers which parents and carers need to consider, reference may be made to sites listed on links page for help and advice.

There is one other particular danger to which we would like to draw attention, and that is the standard lamp holder. Unlike 13A sockets, most lamp holders have no inbuilt protection. When the lamp is removed the electrical contacts are fully exposed in a way that makes it easy for adult fingers to touch the contacts, let alone those of a child. Removal of a lamp is not beyond a child. In addition to this there is always the danger that the glass bulb of a lamp may be broken, eg if a table lamp is knocked to the ground. A broken bulb leaves electricity conductors fully exposed. All this is in addition to the danger of burns from an illuminated bulb, particularly if the lamp has fallen to the floor.

Parents are encouraged to carefully consider their use of table lamps, bedside lamps and floor standing lamps in areas frequented by children.