Since 2008, child safety outlets (also known as Tamper-Resistant receptacles) have been required in all NEW HOME construction in states that have adopted the 2008 National Electrical Code®
(NEC ® ). These child safety outlets should also be used when doing a renovation or replacing an existing outlet. The extra cost of the safety outlet is minimal -- generally less than one dollar more than a standard electrical outlet.
What is a Child Safety Outlet?
Child Safety outlets look like standard electrical outlets -- but they include shutters, which admit 2- and 3-pronged plugs while blocking objects like keys, hairpins, and nails. These outlets have demonstrated their effectiveness in hospital pediatric care areas, where they have been required for years.
Why are they Required?
The most important reason why child safety outlets are required? Every year in the United States, roughly 2,400 children suffer from electric shocks and burns when they insert some electrically conductive object into a wall outlet. Here are a few other alarming facts:
89% of children injured by an electrical outlet are under 6 years old
