Safety First! Installing Tamper-proof Outlets
What if we told you there is a way to prevent children from shocking themselves on electrical outlets? Sounds too good to be true? It’s not!
Over 2,400 children shock themselves on electrical outlets each year, but the electricians at Axiom Power want to share how you can prevent your kid, or any children, from being a statistic. The answer: tamper-proof electrical outlets.
Key Points
Tamper-proof outlets are designed to prevent kids from shocking or hurting themselves. These safety-focused outlets are designed with two spring-loaded shutters that close automatically.
Peace of mind meets easy to use. Unlike some child-proofing, it is not any harder to stick a plug into a tamper-proof outlet than a regular outlet.
They are cost-effective and only about .50 more than standard outlets.
If little kids are in your home or visiting for a short time, remember they are curious by nature they may want to see what happens if they stick a fork into an outlet. Protecting them is easy! Just call Axiom Power and we’ll be right there.
What Are Tamper-Proof Outlets?
We all know kids love to explore—which is innately a great thing. While kids explore their environment, they are learning. But the problem becomes when they start to explore dangerous spaces, such as electrical outlets.
Tamper-proof outlets are designed to prevent kids from shocking and hurting themselves when they do start fidgeting with an outlet. These safety-specific outlets are designed with two spring-loaded shutters that close the slots when you remove a plug from the tamper-proof outlet.
When you insert a plug, both the shutters compress, which opens the slots to allow the plugin. It’s not a struggle to use your outlets either because it is not any harder to stick a plug into a tamper-proof outlet than a regular outlet.
No Kids? 3 Reasons to Choose Tamper-Proof
If you do not have children, you may be asking yourselves if you still need to have tamper-proof outlets. Here are 3 good reasons our electricians at Axiom Power think as to why you should still consider them:
You may have friends or family visit that do have young children
You may eventually sell your home, and having tamper-proof outlets installed is a positive selling point
New tenants move into apartments or leased investment properties
If little kids are in your home or will be for any short period, remember kids will inquisitively want to see what happens if they stick a fork or paper clip or screwdriver into an outlet. Children are curious by nature and protecting them is easy! Just call Axiom Power and we’ll be right there.
But we already have the plastic safety caps in our outlets, won’t those work just the same? NO! A study by Temple University showed that every single 2–4-year-old they tested could remove a plastic outlet cap within 10 seconds (shocking and sad).
Are Tamper-Proof Outlets Cost-Effective?
Yes! Tamper-proof outlets are extremely cost-effective. They do cost more than regular outlets, but usually only by about 50 cents.
Consider this…if you are building a new home with 75 outlets—the average number of outlets a home has—it will only cost you about $40 more to install tamper-proof outlets!
Safety First (Always) with Axiom Power!
Tamper-proof outlets are the most effective way to prevent children from shocking themselves. They’re inexpensive, convenient, and more effective than older traditional plastic caps. Tamper-proof electrical outlets are proven to keep children safe, and in some areas, they’re now being required by electrical code in all new construction!
If you are ready to make the switch in your home, call Axiom Power today. We can help you make the switch to a safer, more up-to-date home. Get peace of mind; call (813) 308-9328 for more information about tamper-proof outlets!