Electrical outlets make appliances come to life and lights illuminate our homes. But they can also present a dangerous hazard to kids.
Tamper-resistant outlets are a great way to prevent these injuries and save a child’s life. They’re required by the National Electrical Code in all new and renovated homes, but they are also beneficial for businesses and daycare centers.
1. Safety
One of the best ways to improve your home’s safety is by installing tamper-resistant electrical outlets. These receptacles have spring-loaded shutter plates that block the outlet’s socket openings, preventing objects like hairpins or keys from being inserted into them.
This makes them much safer than outlets that are covered with plastic caps or slide away. These covers are not as effective at preventing injuries and may be a choking hazard for children who become accustomed to sliding them back and forth.
Tamper-resistant receptacles also have internal plastic guards that cover the slots when not in use. This prevents the insertion of keys, hairpins or other items that might be a child’s favorite toy.
These receptacles are only slightly more expensive than traditional outlets and they don’t add significantly to the overall cost of your renovation project. However, they are an excellent investment to make your house safer for your family and a great way to save money on your energy bill.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2,400 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries that were a result of inserting items into electrical outlets. This means that it is crucial to take the time to replace any outlets in your home that are not tamper-resistant.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) now requires new residential construction to include tamper-resistant outlets in just about every outlet location. These include kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, garages, and outside living areas such as decks and porches. In addition, all outlets in common areas of multi-family homes must be tamper-resistant.
2. Convenience
Tamper-resistant outlets are a great way to prevent a lot of potential electrical hazards from happening in your home. They’re also extremely convenient, offering you a wide range of features that you may not have otherwise thought about.
For example, they feature a built-in USB charging port that’s compatible with virtually every device you can imagine. Plus, they have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) that cuts power to the outlet if water gets in the circuit.
These features are all great benefits, but let’s take a closer look at the safety aspects of tamper-resistant outlets to learn why they’re so important. After all, it’s no fun for a child to get shocked or burned by sticking their fingers into an electrical receptacle.
To prevent this, tamper-resistant outlets are outfitted with a spring-loaded shutter system that closes off the outlet’s contact openings or slots when a plug is inserted into them. This system only opens when both springs are compressed at the same time, meaning that a child can’t insert anything into one slot without applying simultaneous pressure to both shutters.
This safety mechanism makes them significantly safer around children and adults alike. The National Electrical Code has required tamper-resistant outlets in new home construction since 2008, but they can be installed in your existing home if you haven’t yet.
While it may seem like an additional expense, upgrading to tamper-resistant outlets is a worthwhile investment that will save you money in the long run. Not to mention, it’s a great way to make your house more appealing to future buyers when it’s time to sell it! Just call Mel Carr Electric today and schedule a free estimate.
3. Convenience
Tamper-Resistant Electrical Outlets are a great option for ensuring your home is safe for kids. They’re a convenient and affordable way to ensure that the outlets in your house are secure and will keep your family safe.
They also come with an added safety feature that prevents your children from accidentally putting anything inside of them, thereby increasing their chance of a dangerous electric shock or burn. This is why the National Electrical Code requires these types of outlets in new homes and renovations, but they’re also a good idea for existing homes as well.
Unlike standard plastic outlet covers, TRRs use a spring-loaded shutter system to block access to the receptacle’s slots. This prevents a child from inserting any foreign object into the outlet unless both plug prongs are evenly inserted into the slot.
It’s not difficult to put a plug into a TRR. Simply apply the simultaneous pressure of both plug prongs to both slots and the shutters will pop open, allowing you to insert an electrical plug into it.
Another benefit is that these outlets aren’t susceptible to electrical fires or sparks if something is plugged into them, as compared to regular sockets. This is because the internal shutters block any contact between the live wires in the outlet, so there’s no risk of electricity passing through a child’s toy into the wall outlet.
If you’re unsure if your home is fitted with these tamper-resistant outlets, give Mel Carr Electric a call today to schedule an appointment for a professional to look at your outlet system. We can provide you with a free quote and discuss all of your options for securing your electrical outlets.
4. Convenience
If you are planning an electrical upgrade that will make your home more child-proof, installing tamper-resistant outlets is the best way to go. These safety features are mandatory for new and renovated homes and offer a number of benefits to homeowners and caregivers alike.
These receptacles look and function just like standard outlets, but they have one unique feature that sets them apart: a built-in shutter system. The shutters, located inside the two straight outlet slots, only open when a plug applies simultaneous, equal pressure to both slot openings.
They also prevent children from inserting items that aren’t meant to be in an outlet, such as hairpins, paper clips or keys. These are all things that could cause shock or burns to a child.
While these outlets do come with a small price tag, their safety features are worth it. Studies show that about 2,400 kids are treated for electric burns every year and between six and twelve children die from electrical shock or overheating triggered by tampering with an outlet.
If you are remodeling your home and are considering adding a few modern conveniences, such as USB chargers, tamper-resistant outlets may be the perfect solution for you. They also make for a smart home upgrade that you can enjoy now and for years to come.
If you are interested in learning more about these safety features or want to upgrade your current outlets, contact Turn It On Electric today. Our experts can help you find the right outlets for your home and install them with care. They can even show you other upgrades to consider making while you’re at it. You won’t regret it.
5. Convenience
Tamper-Resistant Electrical Outlets, also known as TR outlets, are a safer and more convenient way to protect children from choking and electric shocks. They are required by the National Electrical Code for new construction, and they can be easily installed in existing homes too.
They look like regular outlets, but they feature receptacle cover plates that only open when a plug applies simultaneous, equal pressure to both contacts. This ensures that objects like hairpins and keys do not inserted into the outlet’s contacts.
To learn more about installing these safety features in your home, contact Turn It On Electric today to speak with a licensed electrician. We can discuss all of your options and provide you with a free quote.
In addition to child safety, tamper-resistant outlets are easier to use than plastic caps. They do not need to be screwed into place, which makes them a lot easier to replace when they break or are accidentally plugged into a wall.
They are also easy to replace when a new device needs to be plugged in. The internal shutters will automatically close, making it difficult for a child to insert something into the outlet and cause a shock.
These outlets are a good choice for families with children, but they are also beneficial for people who work in childcare centers or other public spaces where young kids are often present. They keep kids from sticking things like keys or paper clips into the receptacles and offer caregivers peace of mind.
Having tamper-resistant outlets in your home is a small investment, but it’s worth it to prevent a lot of harm to your loved ones. If you are considering remodeling your home with child safety in mind, installing these modern receptacles is one of the most inexpensive and easiest upgrades to make.
