Tamper Resistant Outlets

Tamper-Resistant Outlets

Your child could be at risk

Approximately 2,400 children receive emergency room treatment every year for injuries caused by inserting objects into electrical receptacles, according to a 10-year report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This equates to about seven children each day. Even more alarming is that the report found that over 70% of these electrical incidents occur at home, with adult supervision typically present.
Objects children insert are everyday, easily accessible household items:

Hairpin - 32%
Keys - 17%
Finger - 12%
Pin, wire, screw or nail - 11%
Plug - 11% Unidentified - 8%
Paper clip or staple - 5%
Tool (i.e., tweezer, file or knife) - 3%
Jewelry or belt buckle - 1%

How serious are the injuries?

CPSC reported almost 95 percent of injuries involve burns. These range in severity, but a significant number of serious and fatal incidents result-and even minor injuries can leave emotional trauma. Pediatric burns can be particularly serious, because the skin is thin and offers little resistance to electric flow or heat. With infants and toddlers, burns and scars are even more severe.

These injuries can be prevented

Using a plastic outlet cap is a common solution to prevent children from sticking objects into outlets. Unfortunately, plastic caps are not the safest option and can be easily removed by a young child. A safer solution is installing tamper resistant outlets. These specialized outlets have been so effective in preventing injuries to children that the 2008 National Electrical Code requires that tamper resistant outlets be installed in all new homes constructed. However, these inexpensive products can easily be incorporated into older homes as well.

What are Tamper Proof Outlets? How do they differ from a typical electrical outlet?
Tamper Proof Outlets are standard wall outlets that feature a shutter mechanism that protects children from sticking foreign objects into the receptacle (like hairpins, keys and paper clips). The spring-loaded shutter system in the outlet only allows electricity to flow when equal pressure is applied simultaneously to both shutters such as when an electrical plug is inserted. During unused conditions, both shutters are closed, and openings are covered.

Are they easy to install in older homes?

Yes. It is easy to retrofit an older home with tamper-resistant receptacles. Installation of tamper-resistant receptacles is identical to installation of standard receptacles. Take the time to replace your outlets.  Make your home a safer environment for your child by installing Tamper Proof Outlets.

2009 Canadian Electrical Code Basics

• The revision takes effect with the 2009  CEC, ( June 2009) and cities and municipalities will have to adopt the Code.
  
• CEC Section 26, Rule 26-712 (g) states that all 125-volt. 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in a dwelling unit shall be tamper-resistant type receptacles and shall be so marked subrule (h) except for receptacles dedicated for microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, kitchen coutners, or those located in an attic or crawl space.
• The new Code will affect all new construction installations for single- and multi-family homes.
  
  

To Learn More

• For NEMA's Real Safety campaign resources: www.childoutletsafety.org
  
• For manufacturer research and safety statistics: www.nema.org
  
• For U.S. incident statistics: www.cpsc.gov/library/neiss.html
  
• For the CPSC data-sheet of electrical safety: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/524.html
  
• For Canadian incident statistics: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/injury-bles/chirpp
  
• For the Consumers Union Report on Outlet Caps: http://www.consumersunion.org/products/childsafeny698.htm
  
• For the State Farm report on home electrical safety: http://www.statefarm.com/learning/child_safety/learning_childsafety_elec.asp
  
• Press Releases
  
• NEMA Launches "Real Safety" Campaign to Boost Awareness of Child Electrical Safety
  
• Quick Facts/Resources
  
• The 2008 NEC Tamper Resistant Code Requirement: Q&A
  
• Tamper-Resistant Electrical Receptacles (Power Point)