A guard member is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes at least one electrical conductor. The electrical switching apparatus is structured to move from a CLOSED position to an OPEN position in response to a trip condition. The electrical switching apparatus has a terminal end coupled to the electrical conductor. The guard member includes a body having a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductor, and a coupling portion extending from the receiving portion and being structured to be coupled to the terminal end. The coupling portion has a number of thru holes in order to dissipate heat generated by the electrical switching apparatus moving from the CLOSED position to the OPEN position.