Is this dangerous?

[wifty]

DD will be 3 next week and is really good about consequences of actions.

She knows not to play with light sockets and has never tried. So, she saw me plug in her little christmas tree in her room and after seeing it a couple times, wanted to be the one to 'light the tree'.

So, I let her. I warned her again that her fingers can't go in and that only the cord could be put in.

She is very careful about it but my husband was not happy that I had let her plug in her tree because he thinks its not safe.

So, I need opinions as to if this is in the realm of safe, totally inappropriate, or somewhere in between.

thanks for the help!
with smiles,
Rebecca

[plates]

I only began letting my daughter this year at 5 yrs old but I still worry!

I think you should tell her that other things can also be unsafe such as toys or pins or ? Not just her fingers. As she may think well this fork isn't my finger so it is ok. Let's see what will happen.

But hey I am a worrier by nature when it comes to kids.

[bu's mama]

I would say ok, based on her previous behavior, but that said kids can surprise you.

Dd is similar to what you describe (she's 4.5) & she would plug in the tree last year. I think it builds confidence in herself & that she can make good decisions. Again, I know anything can happen & I do keep an eye out & remind her of certain things.

[LynnS6]

Personally, I think it's OK. I would ask her to call me and have me there while she does it for a while, just so mom can be not so nervous.

Another thought: By a cord with a switch on it (heck even a outlet strip with a switch), plug the tree into that and then let her turn it on with the switch. Then she gets the thrill of lighting it up, you don't have to be nervous about her putting her fingers near the plug and everyone is happy! (This is actually what we do with our tree because I'm too lazy crawl under the tree every night!)

[mavery]

If you let her do it but insist that you be with her, I think she's probably less likely to play with it when you're not looking.
ETA if you haven't already, you might ask her to wash her hands afterwards, since the lights/cords usually contain lead.

[Zach'smom]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

Another thought: By a cord with a switch on it (heck even a outlet strip with a switch), plug the tree into that and then let her turn it on with the switch. Then she gets the thrill of lighting it up, you don't have to be nervous about her putting her fingers near the plug and everyone is happy! (This is actually what we do with our tree because I'm too lazy crawl under the tree every night!)

What a great idea! I am going to do that!

[Dakota's Mom]

We have this switch thingy that not only turns the lights on but has a dimmer switch so you can lower or raise the lights. DS loves to turn the lights on at night. But I also have had him plug things in for me. Sometimes the plugs are hard to reach and he is small enough to get down to them. He loves it and as long as I am right there I don't have a problem with it. I show him where to hold the plug. And I talk to him about not touching the prongs. Daddy is an electrician so he gets lots of talking about dangerous wires. He even got to help daddy install a new wall plug the other day.

Kath

[hottmama]

Huh, I never worried about that at all. My son has been plugging things in since 2, I ask him to plug things in all the time (his brother likes to walk around unplugging everything, so I have Julian plug them back in). Is there really any way to get hurt plugging something in, unless the wire is bad or something?

[mamatoady]

It totally depends on the kid. My daughter never looked twice at a lite socket, but as long as I remember has plugged and unplugged lamps etc. and I've pretty much always let her. I knew all she would do is plug it in and leave it alone.

My son just turned 8 months. He learned to crawl 3 weeks ago. So, what was one of the first things he crawled over to touch with his wet slobbery hands? the light socket. What's the first thing I went to buy? little plastic plugs. Who will I not let near an open light socket, probably ever? My son.

sarah

[RainCoastMama]

I agree. Totally depends on the kid. Our first DD was a very cautious, thoughtful child - we barely babyproofed She never played with sockets, and has been plugging things in since she was 2 - nightlight, Xmas village.

DD2 OTOH, the socket covers went in immediately based on her personailty

[homemademomma]

my almost 3 yo plugs in the christmas lights. i think teaching a kid how to use an electrical socket correctly makes him/her less likely to get hurt in the long run. of course we supervise him.

[Flor]

With my ds, if I told him no, he might do it when I wasn't looking. If I let him do it with me, he is highly likely to only do it when I am there.

[Glover_Girls]

Outlets are off limits for my 4 year old. I've always had them covered. I think they are dangerous for small children (which is why they make covers). IMHO, there is plenty of time for her to learn how to plug in something. It's not a skill she needs at 4.

I think the idea of a power strip with a switch is a very good one though and I may let her turn on the Christmas lights. Thanks for that great idea!!

[rainyday]

Originally Posted by hottmama

Is there really any way to get hurt plugging something in, unless the wire is bad or something?

Yes, there is a way to get hurt. If the child grabs the prongs accidentally while the plug is going in the outlet, she can get shocked. It happened to me when I was a teenager, and it was quite a jolt. My arm was numb for about 20 minutes afterward, and I was 5'4" tall and 120 pounds. I imagine it would be much, much worse for a young child who only weighs 1/3 or 1/4 of that.

My concern with letting a child who's not even 3 yet plug something in is that it would be really easy for her daughter to start considering it so normal that she stops being careful. Also, if she's allowed to plug the tree in, will she try to plug in or unplug something else when her mother's not there to supervise? Maybe, maybe not, but remember she's TWO. Even older kids get tempted to do things that they know they shouldn't do, but at least they have more motor control and more ability to think things through.

I think electricity is one of those things where there really is potential for problems. I absolutely do not understand how the benefit outweighs the risk. I'd get a surge protector with a switch and let her use that, but plugging something in? No way.

[littlemizflava]

well i let my dd plug and unplug things because she would do it even if not allowed so i show her the propper way to do it and make sure she knows that bad part of it she understands not to put things in it and not to pull on cords once they are pluged in

[becoming]

My 5-year-old DS plugs things in by himself and has been doing so for about a year now. I've talked with him about not putting his fingers in the way, not plugging things in with wet hands, etc. He is a very mature kid, wise beyond his years. I'm not sure my 5-year-old niece should be allowed to plug things in, and she's actually 5 months older than my DS.

[Terabith]

I actually think that giving children real responsibilties and showing trust helps build trustworthiness. I think that is a very okay activity (plugging in the tree), since she has previously shown trustworthiness. I would however insist on being in the room when she does it.

[wifty]

Well, dd is 3 today and for now, we are forfeiting the matter to the parent that is most worried about safety....hubby in this case.

I really think that showing her the right way to do it and allowing her to do it only when I am there, helps make it a special thing that only big girls get to do.....and only if they do it right.

I wouldn't let her plug in other things, just this one special thing. I LOVE the idea of the cord with the light switch on it and might go ahead and do that.

But in this case, since hubby worries about it, we go with the parent that has the strongest feelings.

I could be completely right about her abilities and my beliefs about it, but if he has to be nervous every day because of them, that isn't fair. So, thats how we have figured this out......for now. :-)

with smiles and thanks for all the great replies and discussion,
rebecca

[MsChatsAlot]

For those who think the covers means your kids are safe...be forewarned.

My friend came into the room and found her son had pryed them off with a screwdriver that he climbed up on a counter by himself to get and then was about to stick the screwdriver into the socket.

[dharmamama]

Originally Posted by wifty

So, I need opinions as to if this is in the realm of safe, totally inappropriate, or somewhere in between.

Completely safe, as long as you are there with her.

Namaste!