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February 8, 2006

What are outlet covers?

So it’s time to childproof. Your little one is no longer content to stay where you last plunked him. Who would guess that such sweet, innocent bundles could get into so much trouble? Unfortunately for caregivers, babies and toddlers hold an incredible fascination with electrical outlets, which are conveniently (for them) located at eye-level. Thankfully, someone invented outlet covers to help protect curious children from the hazard of electrical shock.

Simply put: Outlet covers (or outlet plates or protectors) serve as a physical barrier to help prevent electrocution. Outlet covers are designed to protect children from occupied and unoccupied outlets. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), unprotected outlets cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths each year. Of the reported injuries in 1997, 86% occurred in children that were 1 to 4 years of age. The most common foreign objects inserted into outlets were keys and hairpins.

You may not be aware of how many outlet protectors are offered nowadays. It’s not just those two-pronged plastic caps that seal off the receptacle. Some products are actually outlet kits that replace your existing faceplates. Some make use of swiveling or sliding faceplates to quickly protect live outlets should your child yank out a cord. (For more information for outlet cover options, see topics 2 and 3 below.) Most outlet protectors are available in the industry-standard ivory or white. The typical cost of an outlet cover is less than $5.

When to do it? Most pediatricians advise parents to begin childproofing electrical outlets at the first indication that their baby can roll over. It won’t be long now before she rolls, scoots, crawls, and then walks to every conceivable corner of your house!

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What should I look for when shopping for outlet covers?

Most parents will tell you that they are looking for safe, inexpensive covers that boast easy installation and no wiring. But what are the most important factors when choosing outlet covers? Be sure the outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them.

There has been movement away from traditional outlet caps for two chief reasons: 1) kids can remove them, and 2) they pose a choking hazard. Temple University’s Biokinetics Research Laboratory conducted a study in 1997 to test the effectiveness of plastic plug-in outlet caps, and found that children aged 2 to 4 could remove the caps in most cases. One-hundred percent of the children in the study could remove the flat, oval covers that were 1/16-inch thick.

Some experts believe that plastic outlet caps give parents a false sense of security. The state of Washington has banned outlet caps in childcare facilities due to the potential choking hazard. In addition, standard covers do not prevent children from pulling out electrical cords to expose live outlets.

The cap variety will work for very young babies and are better than nothing at all, but most experts recommend that parents install tamper-resistant outlet covers, some of which use sliding or swiveling faceplates. However, you may want to buy some outlet caps to tote on vacations for hotel rooms and relatives’ houses. Some manufacturers offer caps with pinching grips that make them trickier for kids to remove. Outlet caps are very inexpensive (as low as $1 to $3 for a pack of 12), so it won’t set you back much.

If you’re convinced that you want the faceplate variety for the outlets in your house, you might change your mind when you do the math. Replacing all your outlets with the tamper-resistant kind could cost you more than $400! To save money, many parents opt to install the faceplate-type covers on just the most frequently used (or most accessible) outlet in each room.

You may also need to invest in a few large covers specifically made to house oversize plugs such those on AC/DC adapters, cordless phones, answering machines, power strips, and major appliances. Covers that enclose both the outlet and the plugs help prevent children from toying with important electronic equipment such as your computer, fax machine, and alarm clock. Some outlet protectors are also designed to house thicker cords.

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What are some good options for outlet covers?

Consumer Reports evaluated outlet covers and power-strip protectors made by Mommy’s Helper, KidCo, and Safety 1st. The Mommy’s Helper Safe-Plate Safety Outlet Cover ($4) was deemed effective in limiting the risk of injury to children up to about 4.5 years old. This easy-to-install plastic plate fits over the outlet using a spring-loaded sliding cover. Foam backing helps keep the cover in place.

The KidCo S200 Decora Outlet Cover ($5) also scored high among the wall-mounted, over-the-outlet-type covers. Parents found this cover easy to manipulate; use the prongs of the electrical plug to slide the cover to the side and push the plug into the outlet. If a plug is pulled out accidentally, the cover automatically snaps shut over the outlet.

Consumer Reports also liked the Safety 1st Outlet Cover & Cord Shortener ($4). This product enclosed the socket—and any electrical cords—with a plastic cover. It also offers additional entanglement protection by taking up cords’ extra slack. Note: This device is only compatible with outlets that use a center screw.

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What else can I do to prevent electrical shocks?

Don’t cover your outlets and naively think that your children are safe from electrical accidents. Read the following suggestions for other important electrical-safety pointers.
  •  Keep electrical cords out of reach when possible.
  • Repair or replace any frayed wires. 
  •  Enclose power strips with appropriate safety devices. 
  •  Until your strong-willed baby learns to stay away from a favorite outlet, position heavy furniture in front of it. 
  •  Check to see that household appliances have an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, which means the UL has tested samples of that product and determined that it meets UL requirements. 
  •  Unplug bathroom appliances such as hair dryers when not in use or consider using them in rooms without the additional hazard of water. 
  •  Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for bathroom, kitchen, and yard outlets or any other outlets in damp areas. (GFCIs shut off electrical power if the flow of electricity is interrupted.) 
  •  Supervise children while they play with any electric toy. 
  •  Watch for downed poles and electrical wires when playing outdoors after storms.

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What should I do if my child receives an electrical shock?

If your child touches an electrical current, it can cause a tingling sensation, a burn, or a serious injury—depending on the strength and type of current and how long he holds on. Some electrical shocks are minor and cause no long-term injury. Stronger currents, however, can enter your child’s body at one location and leave it at another, damaging all the tissue in its path. Shocks can render a child unconscious, stop his breathing, and cause cardiac arrest, damage to other organs, and even death.

If you are at the scene, shut off the power source if possible. If you cannot turn it off, call for help. Do not touch water or your child with bare hands while he is in contact with the current or you risk electrocution. Use an object that doesn’t conduct electricity such as a wooden broom handle or a rolled-up magazine to break your child’s connection with the current.

Check your child’s breathing when he is no longer in contact with the electrical current. If it’s rapid, irregular, or stopped, ask someone to call 911 while you administer CPR. If his breathing is normal, check his skin color. If he looks pale, call 911.

Electrical shocks can cause deep and painful burns so carefully examine your child’s skin. Note that burns on the lips are difficult to see. Do not put ice, first-aid ointment, or anything else on an electrical burn. Take your child to a doctor to clean and dress the wound and check for internal organ damage—even if the burn does not look severe. The doctor will recommend lab tests if she suspects any internal injury. If the burns are serious, your child will likely be hospitalized. Your doctor can also recommend a dose of acetaminophen to manage the pain.

References :


U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) 
Baby Center (www.babycenter.com) 
About.com (www.about.com) 
Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) 
State Farm Insurance (www.statefarm.com)

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