Making Your HomeSafer For Children (NAPSA)—Parents know that the best time to dangerproof their homeis before their baby learns to crawl. That not only means installing safety gates, cabinet latches and corner covers, but protecting children from electrical injuries. a Electrical injuries are traumatic for anyone, but the magni- tude of physical and emotional pain increases with child-related incidents. Inserting an object such as a key, hairpin or paperclip into an electrical outlet could inflict an injury ranging from electric shock to a first-, second- or third-degree burn,or even death. Tamper-resistant receptacles offer continuous and automatic protection against electrical injuries. Parents know that electrical Code (NEC) established a new risks, but one of the most popular preventive measures, the plastic with a requirementfor all recepta- outlets, or receptacles, pose safety outlet cap, actually offers little protection. Outlet caps can be removed or forgotten, and this false sense of security goes undetected until an incident occurs. Only a tamper-resistant receptacle can ensure automatic, continuous and permanent protection againstelectrical injuries. These receptacles work like any outlet, except they have a built-in shutter system preventing children from inserting metal standard for child electrical safety, cles in newly constructed residen- tial units to be tamperresistant. These devices will likely become household necessities. One might think better protection means skyrocketing prices, but industry projections indicate otherwise. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) estimates that tamper-resistant receptacles would add less than $50 to the cost of a new home’s electrical installation. In response to the code change, one electrical wiring device manu- objects into the slots. The shutters obstruct objects from touching electrically live components, but plugs can be inserted and removedas usual. While hospital pediatric wards have required these devices for (P&S), introduced an extensive line of products and support services to raise consumer awareness and makethe changeeasier. and homeowners haven’t used them. But that’s about to change. The 2008 National Electrical www. passandseymour.com/TR outlets. It could be one of the simplest safeguards for a child’s life. more than 20 years, most parents facturer, Pass & Seymour/Legrand For more information, visit
