Each year, 2,400 children in the U.S. are treated for injuries caused by electrical outlets. ESFI surveyed mothers with young children to gauge the public’s understanding of the importance of Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs), which have been required by the National Electrical Code since 2008 to prevent these injuries.
- Nearly 1/3 of parents with young children do not have their outlets childproofed.
- 86% of parents who childproof their outlets use plastic outlet caps.
- 40% agree that plastic outlet caps could be removed by toddlers
- Over 1/3 are unaware if their child’s daycare provider or school childproofs their electrical outlets.
- 44% of respondents are not familiar at all with TRRs.
- 61% of respondents who have TRRs have them due to previous installation before they moved.
Why are TRRs preferred over other outlet protection devices such as caps or sliding outlet covers?
- 100% of all 2-4 year olds were able to remove one type of plastic outlet cap within 10 seconds in a study by Temple University
- Outlet Caps may pose as a choking hazard
- TRRs provide permanent security against the insertion of objects other than cord plugs into the energized slots
