Every year, approximately 2,400 children are severely shocked and burned by sticking items into the slots of electrical receptacles. An estimated 12 children’s deaths (a year) are related to this.
Child-Proof Plug Covers: A lot of us know what child-proof plug covers are. We either remember when our parents put them in the outlets all over our houses when we were children and/or when we did ourselves to protect our little ones. You’ve also probably noticed that as time has gone on, your receptacles have gotten less and less tight. When you plug something in, it ends up falling out right in the middle of you using it. You probably don’t realize the real for this—the child-proof covers have expanded the receptacle over time. This expansion not only loosens the grip the outlet has, but also raises the risk for arcing (which could cause a fire). This means that ultimately, while the covers protect your children, they’re not a good choice overall.
Power Strips: Another common solution is power strips. The issue with these, however is that they sit on the floor, in the direct path of children. This makes them even more easily accessible than actual receptacles (with even more slots per outlet!), which makes them both a dangerous and unwise alternative.
Outlet Plate Covers: One alternative is electrical outlet plate covers. They’re spring-loaded and include a plate that must be pushed to the side in order for the socket to be usable. Once you’re done and unplug, the spring slides the plate back over. They’re super easy to install, using only one screw and taking only around 30 seconds. These are good, but the best is yet to come.
Temper-Resistant Outlets: That makes the fourth option the best one. It’s a product we call tamper-resistant outlets. These are tested by UL for safety and reliability in compliance with NEC Sec. 517-18(c), including the exception. While the NEC requires that these be installed in pediatric areas, it is also wise to put them in day care centers, children’s play areas, toy stores, schools, doctor’s offices, and any other area that kids could be at risk.
What Are Temper-Proof Outlets/Receptacles? The most common setup for tamper-resistant receptacles is a spring-loaded shutter mechanism. Essentially, a spring-loaded thermoplastic safety shutter is placed just inside the receptacle. Usually, these are closed, keeping the contact openings covered. When you push a plug into the receptacle, these shutters open and allow it to become fully inserted. If you try to put other things into the outlet, the shutters won’t open. (Keep in mind that the ground is not blocked off. This is so the receptacle can be versatile.) When you pull the plug out, the shutters will close again, blocking off the receptacle.
How Much Do They Cost? You may be wondering how much these handy little things cost. It’s actually not that much, just about 50 cents added to the cost of an unprotected receptacle. The average number of receptacles in a house is 75, so this extra cost would add up to just under $50. Not bad to get some added safety for your home.
Do I Need Them in My House? You may think that you only need these if you have young children around. However, the tenants of apartments and even homes change quite frequently and you never know when little kids will move in. Also, you want your house to be safe when family or friends with little ones come to visit. Therefore, it is wise for all homes to have tamper-proof receptacles. It’s also important to keep in mind that not everyone will have installed these so it is still a good idea to inform your children of the dangers of electrical outlets.
