As industry expert Peter O'Connell of the Federation of Master Builders noted this week, health and safety guidelines remain the "number one priority" for those in the construction industry, whether they are carrying out building work or overseeing a project.

However, while fittings such as switches and sockets are subject to strict EU guidelines before they go to market, there is another risk to electrical safety that a number of businesses, homes and corporations are exposing themselves to, no matter how strictly they adhere to health and safety guidelines. And it's one that's been highlighted by campaign group FatallyFlawed.

Socket covers are plastic fittings that slip in to the three-pin design of electrical switches in a bid to make them safer for children. With British 13 amp sockets featuring built-in automatic shutters as a safety measure for prying fingers and pokers, not only are socket covers unnecessary - they are potentially lethal, the group argues.

The main risk comes from the fact that the strict BS 1963 manufacturing guidelines 13 amp plugs are required to meet do not extend to socket covers - and no cover on the market today meets the dimensions required to be safe to use.

And that means that socket covers - which are designed to sit snugly covering the three-pin arrangement in place on an electrical socket - can be upended, bent and plugged into the top pin. The cover works to engage the automatic shutters, opening the other two pins, and making the socket live - and liable to be poked or prodded by curious little hands.

In addition, long-term use of socket covers has been shown to cause overheating and possibly socket fires.

As TV presenter and campaign group FatallyFlawed supporter Johnny Ball notes: "Sockets in the UK are designed to keep people safe. Our UK design has been better than the majority of other countries for several years.

"Socket covers are an absolute con and totally unnecessary."

You can read more about the dangers of socket covers at http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk