Child Proof Outlet Installation

Welcoming a child into your home is exciting and often a little stressful. There are a lot of things you need to do to prepare for a child to be in your home. Everything from setting up a nursery to covering up sharp corners is an absolute must. Installing child proof outlets should also be towards the top of your to-do list.

Every year, more than 2,400 children in the United States are treated in emergency rooms due to electrical shocks and burns from tampering with electrical outlets. Installing child proof outlets, also called tamper resistant receptacles (TRR), provides an inexpensive, simple, and permanent solution for these accidents.

Are you planning on bringing a child home soon, or hoping to make your home more friendly for grandchildren, friends’ children, or other young ones in your life? This article explains what you need to know about child proof outlets:

• What are Child Proof Outlets?
• How to Operate a Child Proof Outlet
• What do Children Put in Electrical Outlets?
• Update Your Home to Include Tamper-Resistant, Child Proof Outlets
• Products to Avoid

What are Child Proof Outlets?

Though child proof outlets appear nearly identical to standard wall outlets, they are anything but. Spring-loaded receptacle cover plates protect electrical contacts, preventing the insertion of objects when unequal pressure is applied to the receptacle’s contact points. This design makes it very difficult for anyone to insert something incorrectly, while still leaving the outlet conveniently open for proper use.

How to Operate a Child Proof Outlet

For adults who know how to properly operate a plug, using a childproof outlet is simple. These outlets do not require the strength or knowledge required to operate most other child proof devices. In order to insert a plug into the receptacle, simply apply equal pressure to both sides simultaneously (as you would normally do) which allows the receptacle’s cover plate to open. Never seen a child proof outlet? Visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s website for a virtual demonstration.

What Do Children Put in Electrical Outlets?

Nearly a third of accidents occur when a child inserts common household items into receptacles, 70% of them occurring when adults are present. Items that children insert into outlets can be found anywhere, and include:

• Hairpins
• Keys
• Plugs
• Paper clips and staples
• Tools
• Jewelry
• Belt buckles
• Nail files
• Knives
• And more

Update Your Home to Include Tamper-Resistant, Child Proof Outlets

For just a few dollars per outlet, pennies more than traditional receptacles, you can bring your home up to code and make it safer for your family by having child proof outlets installed. In fact, tamper proof receptacles have proven so effective that as of 2008 the National Electrical Code has required the installation of them in all new homes. Without child proof receptacles, your child is at risk of:

Electrical Shocks

Seven children per day, 2,400 children per year, will be injured by placing objects into electrical outlets.

Electrical Burns

Almost all injuries (95%) resulting from electrical outlets cause burns. Though they range in severity, it is important to understand that burns are very serious in young children, whose skin is thin and offers little resistance to electric flow or heat.

Serious or Fatal Injuries

Reduce this risk by calling Mr. Electric® to install child proof outlets in your home today.

Products to Avoid

When selecting child proof outlets for your home, avoid those that require you to screw plugs in place, as they are not only inconvenient but also present a fire hazard. In addition, once outlets are installed, avoid the use of plastic plugs – your outlets are now tamper proof, and these items present a choking hazard to small children.

To ensure safety through the proper installation of child proof receptacles in your home, contact a licensed, qualified professional at Mr. Electric. Our technicians have the best interests of you and your family at heart.