Childproofing Electrical Outlets: Review of Safety 1st Outlet Covers
EASY CHILDPROOFING SOLUTION FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Reviewed by Maria Plasterer 6/27/2010
One of the most basic childproofing tasks to keep crawlers and toddlers safe in the home is to cover all accessible electrical outlets. While it's easiest to just insert the cheap plastic plugs that you can find at most drug stores into all electrical outlets, these little plastic plugs can be a pain to remove when you need to use the outlet. For electrical outlets that get a fair amount of use, you might want to upgrade to a more convenient solution that will save your fingertips from constantly pulling those tight plugs out of the wall.
Electrical outlets which are always in use can be semi-permanently covered, preferably with extra cord length dressed off, for appliances that stay plugged in like lamps, humidifiers, TVs, etc. The Safety 1st Outlet Cover with Cord Shortener completely covers a double electrical outlet offering total outlet protection and keeps extra cord length out of reach. It's very easy to install. The base plate around existing electrical outlet is removed (usually just 1 small screw) and replaced with the Safety 1st Outlet Cover base plate. After plugging in any necessary appliances, the dome shaped cover can be snapped on to the base plate. There is room within the installed unit to insert extra cord length. I would use this solution even without kids, since it's an attractive way to neatly dress off cords. The cover has a child-resistant dual press release which keeps the cover very secure. Since it does take a slight bit of effort to remove the cover, I would use this solution for outlets that rarely need to be unplugged.
Occasionally used outlets, which get used for things like vacuum cleaners, need to be covered when not in use but easy to get at when you need them. For occasional use outlets that need to be accessed quickly and easily, I would try the Safety 1st ProGrade Swing Shut Outlet Cover which gives quick and safe access to the outlet.
