Tamper Resitant electrical Receptacles Save Lives

Kids. Fun, loving, energetic, adorable, imaginative.  Between the ages of 6 months and 7 years (give or take) their entire world is a learning experience.  If you’ve ever babysat or have kids of your own, you know the messes they create and the dangers they escape on a daily basis.  Toys get shoved up noses, everything goes in the mouth, animals get squeezed, the list is endless.  We have three of our own, and from the minute they started crawling to the time they entered school, we did not rest!

You have to be mindful and keep a hawkeye on them at all times.  When it comes to electrical outlets, no matter how observant you are there is no substitute for Tamper-Resistant electrical Receptacles (TRR).  That is why back in 2008 the National Electric Code began requiring all new and renovated homes be fitted with TRRs. Outlet covers are no match for TRRs.  They can be easily pried off by young children.  In fact, my children thought they were so funny each time they removed the cover!

A Tamper-Resistant electrical Receptacle is a spring loaded shuttered outlet.  Instead of being able to insert something into one side of the outlet and receiving current, both holes of the outlet have to be touched to compress the spring that allows the shutter to open.  The circuit is not completed until the shutters of both holes have recessed.  The National Fire Protection Association reported (in September of 2007) that 2,400 children were seriously injured by inserting objects into electrical outlets every year, with as many as six to twelve dying.

So, if you have just moved check your receptacles.  Even if you don’t have children, these TRRs are great to have in case of family visits.  Not having these can result in injury or death, and even lawsuits. As a landlord, you want that added protection from liability.  A little money up front will save you thousands in the end. 

If you are planning a remodel, you are now required to replace all of your older receptacles with tamper resistant outlets.  Cocoa Electric will gladly switch out your receptacles for you, or install completely new wiring for your remodel.