Keeping Your Kids Away From Exposed Ink Cartridges

2010-07-13

Many printers have replaceable printer ink cartridges that must be changed out periodically when the ink runs low. Once exposed, the cartridges can be more easily damaged or destroyed, so it is important to protect them and to keep them away from kids.

Printer ink cartridges are packaged with a seal covering different sections including the ink nozzle and the print head. These seals should not be removed until the cartridge is ready to be inserted into the printer. Once removed, air can get into the cartridge and dry out the ink. If the cartridge has a print head on it, this can be scratched or damaged, and the printer will be unable to recognize and communicate with the ink cartridge once it is inserted.

The best way to protect your ink cartridges from kids is to store them in a safe place. This could be on the top shelf of a closet, in a locked drawer of a desk or filing cabinet, or in a safe or lockbox. By keeping the ink cartridges locked away and out of sight, kids are less likely to find them and damage them.

Another way to keep kids away from exposed printer ink cartridges is to educate them about the dangers of touching or playing with them. Kids are surrounded by technology on a daily basis at home and school, and should be taught to respect equipment and handle it with care. Explain why printers require ink cartridges to work properly and how important it is to protect them once exposed. Let them know that if they want to be able to print pictures or school assignments, the ink cartridges need to be left alone so they will function properly. Tell your child that if they ever find an ink cartridge left out, they should not touch it and tell an adult about it immediately.

The best way to protect ink cartridges is to change them when there are no kids around. This way, you can be sure that the cartridge will be handled carefully and will not become damaged before being inserted into the printer. Choose a time when the kids are out of the house or at least out of the room. Be sure to insert the ink cartridges immediately after removing the protective seals, and never leave extra cartridges sitting around. Remove old cartridges and package them carefully in a bag or box to be safely discarded or recycled. By following these simple suggestions, you can ensure that exposed printer ink cartridges will not be handled by kids.