Tamper Resistant Receptacles vs Caps and Sliding Outlet Covers

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) 2,400 children in the U.S. are treated for injuries caused by electrical outlets. To gauge the level of risk in the average home with small children, the ESFI conducted a survey of mothers with young children regarding the importance of Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs), which have been required by the National Electrical Code since 2008 to prevent these injuries. The results show that much more education is needed.

• 44% of respondents are not familiar at all with TRRs
• 40% agree that plastic outlet caps could be removed by toddlers
• Nearly 1/3 of parents with young children do not have their outlets childproofed
• 86% of parents who childproof their outlets use plastic outlet caps
• Over 1/3 are unaware if their child's daycare provider or school childproofs their electrical outlets
• 61% of respondents who have TRRs have them due to previous installation before they moved

You can read the full results of the survey here. There are three main reasons TRRs preferred over other outlet protection devices such as caps or sliding outlet covers:

1. Outlet caps can pose a choking hazard
2. 100% of all 2-4 year olds were able to remove one type of plastic outlet cap within 10 seconds in a study by Temple University
3. TRRs provide permanent security against the insertion of objects other than cord plugs into the energized slots.

Have questions about childproofing your home's electrical system? Call ABC, we're here to help.