Looking for safety switch covers

Surely you can improvise something. Or just cut the switch paddle short and stubby.

I think you can get the hinged boxes at Army Ballistic Missile Supply Surplus Store.

They have guidance systems and recently got a new order of nose cones from Taiwan.

There are plastic switchguards available which are like small boxes with hinged lids which fasten to the coverplate screws. You can pop open the cover with your fingers to get at the switch, but it takes some intention. I've used them for kitchen disposal switches and similar applications.

Take a look at these:

Maybe the local hardware store has some "kid safety" product that would help?

On 3/26/2008 11:18 PM KJS spake thus:

In our contest for the most appropriate solution to the problem I gave, the winner is ... you. This looks the closest to what I was asking for. Thanks.

By the way, you might consider getting a news reader that doesn't chop up long URLs (like Thunderbird, what I use). Just a suggestion.

You didn't go to the local electrical supply place did you? These things do exist, but maybe not at Home Cheapo.

People who boutht thtat, bought this, they say:

When they chop them, just click on reply and then put the pieces back together again, by clicking Delete twice. That's what I did to get to the link and it worked fine.

On 3/27/2008 3:50 PM Bob M. spake thus:

Home Despot? I think not . Nope, I went to a real electrical supply place. At first, the guy had no idea what I was talking about, until I mentioned furnaces. Apparently, the only switch covers they carry are on weatherproof boxes.

Speaking of stuff they carry (or don't) at electrical suppliers, I was really surprised recently to find out that these places don't carry the oval-head screws used to hold switch and outlet covers on. When I asked, all they could show me were round-head screws, which don't look right at all (wrong shape, and ugly zinc-chromate finish); they claimed that this is what electricians used (I don't believe that). I finally found the right screws at an Ace Hardware store (nickel ones in this case).

I bought a few of those exact type of covers several years ago to cover the light switches to the motion sensored floodlights outside. They work perfectly for their purpose and they pop on and off with a solid click. I have yet to lose one.

But typically you don't cover a safety switch. The usual really common installation for that residential application is to install a red handled toggle switch with a red colored plate.

Where's the switch located? Is it actually in a location where it is conveniently accessible and actually could be mistaken for a light switch?

If it is, I humbly suggest it was placed in the wrong location. I have a switch for the ice wires on my house and I purposely placed it where it won't ever be mistaken for a light switch *and* labeled it as to it's purpose. The idea is "intention". Based on it's location and labeling, I seriously doubt anyone would flip this switch "just to see what it would do".

I did the same for my garbage disposal. It's located behind the dish drain rack, well away from any light switches. Again, you have to want to use it, and if so, you'll know it's purpose by the label.

Just my thoughts.

On 3/28/2008 8:49 AM DerbyDad03 spake thus:

Yes, it is. See below.

Point taken. It ended up where it is because, well, there was an existing outlet that I took power from, and it was convenient (i.e., easiest) to put the outlet and the switch in a box in the same location. I suppose what a guy should have done was to put the switch in a separate box, out of reach and labeled. Next time.

I think I'm going to go with the "baby-proof" solution. Cheap, effective, and nothing to lose.