Protect Your Children with Tamper Resistant Receptacles

Tamper-resistant outlets are a simple way to help protect children from electrical hazards. Statistics from the Electrical Safety Foundation International estimates that each year, about 2,400 children suffer severe shock and burns when they stick items such as paperclips, keys or pins into the slots of electrical receptacles. 

Approximately six to twelve fatalities a year is recorded as a result of children's curiosity or zeal to imitate their parents in using the open receptacles, which is practically located in every room. These disastrous consequences are becoming alarming, and parents should be proactive because it is their responsibility to protect their kids from potential electrical shock or burns. That is why experts recommend that homeowners (with kids) should properly childproof their outlets by installing tamper-resistant receptacles.

If you want to install tamper-resistant receptacles in your home, call experts at Mr. Electric of Katy, and the job will be concluded within the shortest time possible. We will also recommend best practices to help protect your toddlers from this constant and real danger.

How Tamper-Resistant Receptacles Work

The tamper-resistant devices are designed to shut out foreign objects from accessing the inner components unless a two-prong plug is evenly inserted into the outlet. Though they look the same as ordinary outlets, however, they have a spring-loaded shutter mechanism that blocks damaged or bent blades, hairpins, keys and paper clips from opening the outlet.

However, the design does not pose any challenge to adults that will need to use the outlets. All you need to do is to insert the plugs with equal pressure, and the spring-loaded system with give way. If you’re new to using such receptacles, you may need to remove the wall plate to view the internal markings, which is “TR” or “Tamper-Resistant.” 

Other Available Childproofing Options

There are other childproofing or protective products in the market, such as the receptacle caps and sliding receptacle covers. However, the former is not effective in preventing poking and prodding with foreign objects, while the latter makes it more difficult for users to insert plugs. Additionally, smart but curious kids could easily learn the sliding mechanism and try to place ordinary household objects into the socket.

Therefore, the tamper-resistant receptacles or TRRs are the preferred choice when it comes to preventing kids from sustaining injuries from open or unprotected receptacles.

This is the Right Time to Retrofit Your Home with Tamper Resistant Receptacles

Both new home constructions and existing ones are required to install tamper-resistant receptacles due to their high efficiency in protecting kids from injury. Interestingly, homeowners that are technically savvy can retrofit with TRRs using the same installation guidelines that apply to standard receptacles. 

However, if you don’t have the requisite training for electric installations or you’re not comfortable with electricity, call licensed and certified experts from Mr. Electric of Katy.

We have become the electric installation company of choice because we do keep the customers' best interest in mind. Our electricians in Katy are licensed and insured to handle electrical installations for both residential and commercial facilities. Call us today to schedule a free consultation, and you will experience exceptional services.