How to Childproof Electrical Outlets

Most electrical outlets are located near the ground, which means that children can easily access them. The last thing you want is for a child to fool around with an outlet as it can result in a severe injury – or even a death.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can childproof your electrical outlets so that your children will be in no danger around them.

3 Ways to Baby Proof Your Home’s Electrical Outlets

First of all, identify where your outlets are. It can be easy to miss an outlet if it’s not in use, so go through each room and hallway in your home and be sure to look for them while on the ground so that you can easily spot them. Don’t forget to look behind furniture as well. Just because an outlet is blocked by a chair or a couch doesn’t mean that a child can’t get to it.

• Upgrade to tamper-resistant outlets – All electrical outlets installed after 2008 are tamper-resistant. This means that they have a spring-loaded shutter that blocks access to the outlet when it isn’t in use. Every electrical outlet manufactured after 2008 is required to have this in accordance with the National Electrical Code. If your house was built before 2008, then you may not have these types of outlets and may want to consider upgrading your older outlets to tamper-resistant versions.
• Use outlet plugs – One of the easiest ways to child proof your electrical outlets is through the use of outlet plugs, which are often called outlet caps or outlet covers as well. They are basically plastic components that can be plugged into the outlet. This will prevent children from being able to tamper with an exposed outlet. The back of the outlet plug is designed to be flat or slightly rounded in order to make it extremely difficult for a child to remove. It’s a good idea to plug these outlet plugs into any outlets that you don’t use – or that you don’t use often. They are available in a number of different styles, including white, off-white or clear, so that they don’t create a visual eyesore.
• Use electrical plate covers – Another option that you can use instead of outlet plugs is the electrical plate cover. Electrical plate covers work in a similar way to tamper-resistant outlets. The cover is screwed in over the top of the outlet. It makes use of a spring-loaded plate that has to be pushed to the side in order to uncover the socket. Once a plug is removed, the plate automatically pulls back over the socket. Younger children will have trouble figuring out how to uncover it in order to access the outlet.

We Install Childproof Electrical Outlets in Maryland

Be sure to use these electric outlet safety tips if you have any children at home. For more electrical safety tips or for information about our childproof electrical outlet installation services in Maryland, be sure to contact us today.

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