My oldest two kids were born pretty close to each other, so there is a time of my life that is mostly a blur of diapers, bottles, and very, very little sleep. However, there are a few memories that stand out – like when they did especially messy or especially adorable things, or, in the case of my daughter, especially dangerous things. My oldest daughter has always been curious, always wanting to know how things worked and why. One day, I was feeding the one-year old while she (age 2) was playing on the floor with her toys – or so I thought.
All at once, I realized that she had been quiet for a while which, for a mother, usually means trouble. I left the baby in his high chair and rushed to the front room. There, my daughter was sitting in front of an electrical outlet with the keys from my purse, holding two of them parallel to each other and preparing to stick them both in the outlet. Before I could think, I yelled, “no!” and interrupted her just in time. I don’t want to think about what could have happened if I hadn’t caught her at that exact moment, but you had better believe that afterward, we installed every safety device we could on every outlet in the house.
If you’re a mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or caregiver to a small child, consider this: there are outlets on nearly every wall of the house, they are usually close to the ground, and they look just like two little faces. All of these are reasons why little busters could be attracted to your home’s electrical outlets. The ease of accessibility plus the high level of danger for a little one makes it a huge household risk. But the good news is that keeping them safe is relatively easy and inexpensive. Below is a list of options for childproofing your home’s outlets, ranging from about $6 total to about $15 per outlet.
TAMPER RESISTANT OUTLETS: $4-20 PER OUTLET
In 2008, the National Electrical Code (NEC) was updated to require Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) in all new and remodeled homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, TRRs’ are the most effective way to prevent injuries associated with electrical receptacles. The NFPA also reports that 6-12 children in the U.S. die each year from severe shock and approximately 2,400 children are injured from shock or burns as a result of sticking items into an outlet. So, the NEC began requiring TRRs in homes to protect children.
How they work: TTRs’ have spring-loaded shutters that close off the contact openings, or slots, of the receptacles. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle, both springs are compressed and the shutters then open, allowing for the metal prongs to make contact to create an electrical circuit. Because both springs must be compressed at the same time, the shutters do not open when a child attempts to insert an object into only one contact opening, and there is no contact with electricity. (nfpa.org)
So, start by checking to make sure that your home has these childproof outlets installed. If it doesn’t, they are relatively easy to install yourself. Additionally, you can add nearly unlimited functionality to these outlets. They come with optional USB ports with high-speed charging capability, LED guide lights with automatic sensors, and GFCI functionality. Here is a video link explaining how to replace your outlets yourself. If you are unable to install new outlets yet, the following are additional ways you can protect your little ones.
ROLL OF MASKING TAPE: ABOUT $6
These are the easiest way to prevent little tikes from sticking little things in the outlets. They’re cheap, relatively invisible, and also relatively difficult to remove from the outlet. This can be a bit of a pain when you need to use a protected outlet, but it means that little ones are protected as well.
But beware: these covers only work if the outlet is relatively new. If you have an older, looser outlet, these might not stay in. If the receptacle doesn’t hold a plug, it won’t hold a cover. And if your covers fall out or can be easily pulled out, at that point, they can turn into a choking hazard.
