Kids & Electrical Safety
A New Try At Keeping Kids and Electricity Apart -
About seven children are injured by electricity every day.
T A M P E R P R O O F
About seven children are injured every day
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data show that approximately 2,400 children are injured in incidents related to electrical receptacles each year. This equates to about seven children every day. Injuries range from electric shock to first-, second and third degree burns, with some rare cases proving fatal.
In response to these statistics the National Electrical Code® (NEC) has been revised (with the 2008 edition)—including a requirement for all receptacles in newly constructed residential units to be tamper-resistant.
It’s ‘Now’ In Many Places!
Most states and municipalities adopt new Code editions within two years, and Pass & Seymour/Legrand (P&S), a leading manufacturer of electrical wiring devices and home systems, will be ready with an exceptional line of tamper-resistant products.
“Historical adoption rates indicate that about 50% of the states will adopt this new edition in 2008, and P&S aims to make the transition as smooth as possible,” said Bill Timmons, P&S marketing manager for residential products.“We’ve produced tamper-resistant products for years and will be prepared for the Code well in advance.”
Yes, It Was Necessary
An obvious question many might ask is: Was this necessary? After all, there are plastic outlet protectors, available to parents of small children. Are these parents simply lazy? A reasonable examination of the facts will show that the Code change was necessary, and that parents were not being lazy.
According to information found on the State Farm Insurance website:
• A 1997 study conducted for the CPSC showed 86% of reported electrical injuries
involved children age one to four.
• Mealtime was the usual time at which these injuries occurred.
• Most frequently, the children injured inserted foreign objects into electrical outlets—including keys and hairpins.
• 100% of 2- and 4-year-olds could remove protectors with a 1/16th-inch-thick oval face and a flat side.
• 47% of 4-year-olds and 31% of 2-year-olds could remove protectors with a round, flat face and two prongs.
• 47% of 4-year-olds and 18% of 2-yearolds were able to remove protectors with a 3/16-inch-thick oval face and a tapered side. What The NEC Now Says The revision, taking effect with the 2008 NEC, says: “406.11 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units. In all areas specified in 210. 52. all 125-volt. 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles. Also in 1997 (according to the State Farm write-up), the Biokinetics Research Laboratory (at Tampa University) put 37 children to work at playing with plastic outlet protectors.
Here’s what was found:
“Substantiation: 210.52 specifies the areas in dwelling units where receptacles shall be installed. This proposal references those areas.”
A TAMPER-RESISTANT LINE
Pass & Seymour/Legrand already provides an outstanding line of tamper resistant products that use a patented, UL-listed shutter system to protect children from injury. However, the shutters don’t impair normal plug insertion, removal, or function.
Notable P&S offerings include Tamper-Resistant Hallway Light/ Receptacle Combination Devices and Decorator Receptacles, which won the Home Safety Council’s Commendation Award in 2006, and the Tamper-Resistant GFCI, which won the 2005 Innovation Award from Electrical Contracting Products. In addition to these favorites P&S will have tamper-resistant versions of all receptacles used in residential installations.
See also:
Smoke Detectors
Ground Fault Receptacles
Wiring Diagrams
PRODUCT TYPE SOURCES:
