Tamper- resistant receptacles are now code…

Tamper- resistant receptacles are now code…

…and will play an important next step to making your home a safer place for children.

According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data, each year, approximately 2,400 children suffer burns and severe shock when they stick items into the slots of electrical outlets. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that there are six to twelve child fatalities a year related to this.

The new National Electrical Code® (NEC®) now requires new homes as well as any renovations to have tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles installed. These new receptacles have spring-loaded shutters that close off the contact openings of the receptacles. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle, both springs are compressed and the shutters then open, allowing for the metal prongs to make contact to create an electrical circuit. Because both springs must be compressed at the same time, the shutters do not open when a child attempts to insert an object into only one contact opening, and there is no contact with electricity.

Most often power outlet accidents by children are with parents or caregivers who look away for just a moment, only to face undue tragedy and pain as the result of a child's curiosity. The NEC’s mission is to provide electrical safety in the home. Tamper-resistant receptacles are a simple and easy way to protect children from serious injuries that continue to happen every year.

Once the code changed and we started using tamper-resistant receptacles on our projects, we have found that the new tamper-resistant receptacles add about $0.50 to the cost of an unprotected receptacle. On a national average, most homes have about 75 receptacles resulting in an overall added cost of under $40. This amount may vary slightly based on the type and style of tamper-resistant receptacle used. Point being, this is a minimal increase in cost and it buys a significant increase in electrical safety for our children.
You may be familiar with those plastic outlet protectors sold in the childproofing sections of retailers. Parents, you know the ones. The ones where you break your fingernails back trying to remove the things every time you want to vacuum. They are plastic inserts that fit into the slots of the outlet preventing a child from inserting an object. Some parents may feel a little uneasy about the effectiveness of these devices. And some may debate if receptacle caps can be removed by children. These inserts can be lost also may be a choking hazard for some ages.



Increasing awareness of child electrical safety, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association has developed a program titled Real Safety that identifies the dangers electrical receptacles may pose to children, educating users about tamper-resistant receptacle function. For more information on Real Safety visit the website at www.childoutletsafety.org.


About Chad D. Collins:
A licensed general contractor since 1997, custom home builder Chad D. Collins has been transforming clients' dreams into elegant, homes while building a reputation for skilled craftsmanship. Chad's commitment to excellence has earned Collins numerous top industry awards, including the coveted Triangle Sales and Marketing Council's MAME Building Company of the Year in 2007 and 2008.