Why charging cables are dangerous for your child:
Everyone knows that electrical outlets are dangerous. Everyone also knows that exposed electrical cables pose a risk. But very few people realize that even a smartphone charging cable isn't safe. And this danger becomes particularly acute in households with babies and toddlers.
And that is exactly what we at GADGETTO Products, in cooperation with experts and consultants in the field of child safety and accident prevention, want to raise awareness about.
When is electricity dangerous? The danger threshold is determined by the voltage: Voltages above 60 V DC or 30 V AC are considered dangerous for humans. AC is simply more dangerous because it can trigger ventricular fibrillation. These values, however, apply to adults under normal conditions, meaning dry skin and contact via the skin's surface. Much lower voltages can also be dangerous if the body's resistance is low. An adult's body has a resistance of around 1,000 ohms, depending on size, humidity, and the contact resistance of the skin. Moist skin and mucous membranes have virtually no contact resistance. Depending on the path through the body and the child's size, the resistance of a child who puts a cable directly in their mouth is comparatively low. Even dangerous currents can flow through the body with only 5 V, as is the case with a common smartphone charging cable.
However, it's not just the current flowing through the body that's dangerous. If a high current is applied directly to the body, it can cause severe burns, depending on the current intensity. Common 5V DC charging cables for smartphones deliver up to 5A of current, depending on the charging power. High charging currents simply result from consumers' ever-increasing demand for faster charging times for their devices.
While charging cables are generally harmless to the touch, they become dangerous if they develop a defect. This defect can be caused by saliva coming into contact with the cable. Therefore, charging cables with "low voltage only" are dangerous if they are not properly secured in households with babies and toddlers, for example, by consistently putting them away or using our child safety lock. When putting the cable away, always ensure that it cannot accidentally dangle from a shelf or be reached by children who can pull themselves up on furniture or are already standing. It is especially important to secure the charging cable or keep it out of reach during the oral phase, when children explore their world with their mouths.