Electrical Outlet Safety - That Plastic Thing Isn't Working

A 10-year U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report indicates that nearly 2,400 children are treated in emergency rooms yearly for injuries caused from objects being inserted into electrical receptacles. On average, this means almost seven children every day. The report also stated that 70% of the incidents happen in homes where adequate adult supervision is present.

Readily available household objects toddlers find to insert: - 32% are hairpins - 17% are keys - 12% a finger - About 10% are things like screws, pins, nails and wire - 11% while playing with plugs - 8% are never identified - 5% are staples or paper clips - 3% are simple tools such as tweezers, files or knifes - 1% are belt buckles or jewelry

INJURIES CAN BE VERY SERIOUS Almost 95% of injuries, according to CPSC, involve burns. The degree of injury varies but too many result in serious and at time fatal consequences. Even minor injuries can leave emotional trauma. Because the skin is thin on young children, burns become very serious as it offers little resistance to heat or electric flow so burns are deeper and scaring is more severe.

PREVENTION IS KEY AND VERY AFFORDABLE The use of plastic outlet covers are a commonly used by parents with young children in the home. Although they cover the socket holes, they are easily removed by children and therefore not as safe as parents would hope. The safest solution would be to install tamper resistant outlets. These newly designed receptacles so effective in preventing childhood injuries that the 2008 National Electrical Code now requires tamper resistant outlets to be used for all new home construction.

TAMPER PROOF OUTLETS WORK SMARTER Tamper proof outlets are the same size standard as conventional wall outlets with a built-in shutter system that protects children from electrical current when inserting foreign objects into the receptacle. The shutter mechanism is spring-loaded and only allows the flow of electricity when pressure is applied equally and simultaneously to both shutters in the case of an electrical plug When the outlet is not in use, both shutters remain closed, placing a barrier between the electricity and a child's probe.

TAMPER PROOF OUTLETS IN OLDER HOMES Installation is so easy and affordable that they are being used in older homes as well. The tamper resistant receptacles are the same size as standard receptacles so to retrofit an older home is made easy.

TAKE THE TIME - ITS WORTH IT This one act can help you avoid preventable home injuries caused by electrical outlets. Make a safer environment in your home for you and your child. Install tamper proof outlets—you will never regret it.

2008 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (NEC) BASICS
The updates took effect with the 2008 NEC, and municipalities and states have to adopt the Code. NEC Article 406.11 states that all 125-volt. 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles. The Code applies to new homes for single and multi-family construction.