Kids Home for the Summer? Make Sure Your Outlets Are Safe

With school out and kids spending more time indoors, your home’s electrical safety becomes more important than ever. Curious little hands, increased device usage, and summer boredom can all add up to higher electrical risks — especially around outlets.

At E&A ELECTRIC LLC, we want to help you create a safer home this summer with a few simple but essential outlet safety tips.

⚠️ Why Outlet Safety Matters More in Summer

During the school year, kids are in and out of the house. In the summer, they’re:

• Plugging in tablets, fans, and gaming systems
• Playing near walls and furniture
• Exploring spaces like garages or basements
• At higher risk of shocks from faulty or exposed outlets

✅ 1. Use Tamper-Resistant Outlets (TROs)

Tamper-resistant outlets have built-in safety shutters that only open when both prongs of a plug are inserted at the same time — preventing accidental shocks from curious fingers or toy insertions.

TROs are now required in most newer homes, but older homes may still have standard outlets.

✅ 2. Install GFCI Protection

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect against electric shock by shutting off power if there’s a problem. You should have GFCIs in:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry rooms
• Basements
• Outdoor outlets
• Garages

If your home is missing GFCIs in these areas, schedule an upgrade for your family’s safety.

✅ 3. Cover Unused Outlets

If you have small children, cover outlets in bedrooms, play areas, and living rooms with plastic safety plugs or sliding covers.

Bonus: This also helps keep dust and debris out during the summer when windows are open more often.

✅ 4. Don’t Overload Extension Cords or Power Strips

Many kids plug in multiple devices — fans, lights, chargers, game consoles — in one area. Overloaded power strips or cheap cords can overheat and spark.

Use surge protectors instead of basic strips, and don’t daisy-chain multiple cords.

✅ 5. Educate Your Kids

Teach older children basic electrical safety:

• Don’t touch outlets with wet hands
• Never insert objects into outlets
• Don’t yank cords from the wall
• Ask before using unfamiliar devices

Safety Isn’t Seasonal — But Summer Is a Great Time to Start

Whether your home needs updated outlets, better protection, or a full safety inspection, E&A ELECTRIC LLC is here to help you make your space safer for the whole family.

📞 Call us today to schedule an outlet upgrade or whole-home safety check.