Fatally Flawed

Thanks for the warning, I have signed and shared!

Signed it.

Plug in air fresheners also do not have to conform to the plugs and sockets regulations and so can cause the same damage to a socket, and when they run dry can overheat. If we get this through parliament they will be regulated.
Crimson, if your house wiring hasn't been touched since the 50s I'd get a local electrician to carry out an electrical installation condition report. It should be money well spent

How long have plugs been made like this? I ask because my house is 1950's' ish and probably hasn't been rewired in places. Also, what are your views on these plug in air fresheners that can cause fires? I don't use them myself but do use a plug in dap diffuser for my dog. Is it only when the liquid is almost used up that they can cause a fire? [thanks for bringing this to our attention, by the way; it's something that I wouldn't have thought about...we've used these plastic protectors for so long that we wouldn't think to question them; will also sign the petition].

Thanks to all those signing the petition and sorry Jo4 it's force of bad habit I'm afraid, I call everyone mate.

They've known about it for long enough! March 2009!

Yes. It's true that they can't shove things in because leccy plugholes are shuttered. DH used to reassure me on this point. I still worried though. Seems the covers are a con!

Has anyone told John Lewis et al?

And don't call me 'mate' trevthesparky

I was warned by an informed friend not to use socket covers when my daughter – now a mother of five herself – was a toddler and never did. However, I shall certainly sign the petition.

Thanks for warning us. It's terrifying to think that something we've all bought thinking we're being safe is actually so dangerous. I've signed the epetition and passed on the info.

I don't have grandchildren but have signed the petition - thank you Trev for bringing this to our attention - I certainly had not heard about it before

They can't just poke something in as the holes are shuttered and you need to move the earth shutter to move the others. All plugs are now required to have part insulated pins so that when the brass part makes contact there is a non conducting part protecting the user from inadvertent contact with intentionally live parts.
Look on the homepage mate, all the info is there you don't have to take my word for it. Adam Hart Davis supports us, take a look at his qualifications and experience if you don't believe me

But without them isn't there still the danger of a child poking something into the socket or trying to put a plug into the socket but having their hands around the plug as they do it [if that makes sense].

Jo4 yes they have a good chance to be unsafe. It is a criminal offence to supply or offer for supply a plug which does not conform to BS1363 but socket covers and many other similar things are classed as toys and as such are not subject to the same regulations. They're flexible so could be inserted upside down thus exposing live parts, they do not have to conform to size regulations so could damage the internal parts of the socket and don't forget, in ALL sockets in this country there are shutters covering the dangerous bits (the neutral also presents dangers since it carrys current) so these things at best are a con.
Any retailer will sell anything which will make them a profit mate because they're making money out of scaring parents, YOU NEED THIS OR YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER!
See, isn't that easy to convince a parent?
Go to the homepage mate, there's a lot of info there backed up by a well respected scientist/engineer and make up your own mind as to whether you need them or not

Are these unsafe then? (click on blue 'these')

Can't believe John Lewis would sell anything not 100% safe.

What for johanna? Pointing this danger out? If that's it then think nothing of it, thank me by signing the petition and spreading the word.
We have been trying to get this publicised for ages, you can help us by using this site and all your social networks eg facebook, twitter, any chat board you're a member of.
This is too important, now we have the ball rolling let's keep it going. Like I said before, if it saves one child's life it's worth the effort

Thank you so much.

Thank you very much. You can get more detail at electriciansforum.co.uk

Please spread the word and more importantly, sign the petition

I didn't know that. I don't have very young GC now, but friends and relations do so I have tweeted the link.

BS1363 sockets are intrisically safe beacause they have shutters over the live terminals which only open when something is inserted into the earth (The one at the top hehe)
Socket covers are often incorrectly sized which damages the internal connections causing arcing and increasing the fire risk. They can also, because they are flexible, be inserted upside down which opens the shutters allowing access to the live parts. People have been conned into thinking they need these things, I have banned them from our house and our children's houses where our grandkids are.
Please follow the links and take the time to read. Support the campaign, if we save one child's life it'll be worth the effort.
Tell your friends, post it on facebook and twitter etc. Please.

Please tell us more. I use them when DGC here as littlest one is fascinated by sockets and I live in fear.......