ARLINGTON, Texas, Nov. 14, 2008 - The North Central Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) Regional Codes Clearing Committee (RCCC) recently voted to recommend adoption of the 2008 National Electrical Code® (NEC) with a new child safety precaution included. NEC Section 406.11 states that all 125-volt 15- and 20-ampere electrical outlets (receptacles) in new residential construction must be tamper-resistant receptacles.

Using a built-in shutter system, tamper-resistant receptacles prevent foreign objects from touching electrically live components when they’re inserted into the slots, but plugs can be inserted and removed just as with standard electrical outlets. Unlike plastic outlet caps, which can be removed or forgotten, tamper-resistant receptacles offer automatic, continuous and permanent protection against electrical burns.

The RCCC’s recommendation to adopt the 2008 NEC will go to the NCTCOG Executive Board for approval. The action will then be circulated to all member jurisdictions.

The Executive Board, composed of 13 locally elected officials, is the policy-making body for all activities undertaken by the NCTCOG. Centered around the urban areas of Dallas and Fort Worth, NCTCOG has more than 230 member governments, including 16 counties, numerous cities, school districts, and special districts.

Several member cities have already indicated plans to adopt the 2008 NEC this fall, including Dallas, Irving, Plano, and Fort Worth. Additionally, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Commission announced that, effective September 1, the 2008 NEC would be the effective "minimum standard" for all electrical installations covered by the Act.

“The Regional Codes Clearing Committee’s recommendation to adoption the 2008 NEC with the tamper-resistant requirement marks a tremendous advancement for the electrical industry, for home safety, and especially for families,” said Andrei Moldoveanu, technical director at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). “The new Code affords many Texas children the most reliable protection against electrical injuries.”

According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data, approximately 2,400 children suffer electrical injuries each year—about seven children every day—from inserting metal objects into electrical outlets.

While unfamiliar to many homeowners, pediatric care wards have required hospital grade tamper-resistant receptacles for more than 20 years. And, even with their invaluable protection, the projected compliance costs using residential grade products are minimal.

NEMA estimates that tamper-resistant receptacles would add less than $70 to the cost of a new home’s electrical system.

Parents, homeowners, and building and electrical professionals wanting to learn about tamper-resistant receptacles, child safety statistics, and Code details can view an informational video and other resources at NEMA's Real Safety Web site: www.childoutletsafety.org. Additional information can be found at Electrical Safety Foundation International: www.esfi.org.

The NEC is an American National Standard developed by electrical safety experts under strict rules to ensure openness and broad representation by all interests. NEC adoption takes place on a state-by-state basis.