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The Best Safety Outlet Plugs to Protect Young Children
For one reason or another, young children have a habit of getting themselves into dangerous situations. Perhaps it's a result of their innocence, or maybe it's because of their curious nature. Either way, as they explore the home they can interact with various dangerous and risky items, like power outlets. Power outlets are quite boring and mundane to us adults. But to children, they can be strangely interesting, and since they’re also very low to the ground it’s all the more easier for crawling infants and wandering toddlers to access. And if a child happens to try pushing their fingers or toys into the outlet holes, disasters can occur. This is where safety outlet plugs come into play. As the name implies, these special safety items are designed to be plugged into outlets, just like an appliance. They cover up the holes and are tough for kids to take off, making the whole home safer and much more child-friendly. With this guide, we’ll look at some of the finest safety outlet plugs in 2023.
A Buyer’s Guide to Finding the Best Safety Outlet Plugs
We’ve looked at some of the top safety outlet covers, but now let’s take a closer look at how these covers work, why you should get them, and how to pick the right covers for your home.
What Do Safety Outlet Covers Do?
Safety outlet covers are home safety devices that can make your home a safer place for babies, toddlers, and children. They’re designed to slot inside power outlets, just like a regular plug on a device or charging outlet.
The only difference is that they’re made of plastic and not connected to anything, so they completely block any electricity from flowing through. Essentially, they form a shield that fills in the holes of the outlet and prevents little ones from poking their fingers inside. This can be very important as a lot of children are very curious when it comes to power outlets and like to poke fingers or toys, as well as other items into the holes.
Are Safety Outlet Covers Necessary?
Some parents may question the need for safety outlet covers. However a lot of experts recommend using them to minimize risks and make the home as safe as it can possibly be for children to wander around in.
Even if you supervise your child well and pay close attention, it only takes a single second for a child to put their fingers into an outlet and cause themselves serious harm, including burns and shocks. Safety outlet covers are a cheap and simple way to keep kids safe, so if you truly want to child-proof your home for your new baby or a visiting child it’s a good idea to invest in them.
How Do I Use Safety Outlet Plugs?
Safety outlet plugs are usually very simple to use. All you have to do is plug the plastic prongs into the outlet in the same way you’d plug in a device. Make sure that the flat part of the outlet plug is flat against the wall and not loose.
When you need to remove the outlet plugs, you’ll usually have to slide your nail or an item under the side and pull the outlet plugs free. Others have hidden handles, like ring-pulls on a can, you can use to pull them out.
How to Find Quality Safety Outlet Plugs
Here are some key factors to consider when looking for safety outlet plugs:
Design
Check the design of the outlet plugs to see how they work and how they fit. Try to find ones that will fit snugly and offer the best levels of protection.
Ease of use
Following on from the previous point, try to find safety outlet plugs that are not only easy to insert but also easy to take out. Some can get stuck and be quite tricky to remove.
Sourced materials
It’s best to look for safe, strong materials in safety outlet plugs so that they won’t break and ensure premium protection against shocks and jolts.
Comparing the Best Safety Outlet Plugs of 2023
Power Gear Plastic Outlet Covers – Best Overall
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We’ll begin this list with our top overall pick: the plastic outlet covers from Power Gear. Sold in sets of 30 but also available in smaller and larger packages to suit your needs, these safety outlet plugs are designed to simply cover up the outlets in your home. They’re super simple to use and feature two prongs and a flat, plastic cap on the other side that is really hard for kids to take off. Thanks to their design, these outlet covers are really safe to use and can massively reduce the risk of any accidents or electric shocks in the family.
They’re great value for money, too! With their affordable price, quality construction and easy-to-use nature they earn our best overall award for this list.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Easy to install
- Very hard for kids to remove
Cons
- Not sold individually
Wappa Baby Outlet Covers – Best Value
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Next up, we have the great value outlet covers from Wappa Baby. Sold in packs of 32 or 50, these electric plug protectors are super safe and secure. They slot inside standard two-pin outlets with ease but are much harder to take off for little hands and curious fingers. You can use them all over the home to safeguard your property and reduce the risk of toddlers or babies getting hurt, and the manufacturers offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This way, if you’re not totally happy with the way these covers perform you can return them for your money back within 90 days.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Hard for kids to remove
Cons
- You’ll probably have a few left over
Safety 1st Plug Protectors – Safest Plugs
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If safety is your No. 1 concern when buying outlet covers, choose these plug protectors from Safety 1st. This brand is 100% dedicated to keeping kids safe and works tirelessly to produce some of the best home safety items and accessories on the market. These plug covers are a great example of what Safety 1st can do. They’re made using the finest quality materials, and they’re put to the test to ensure that they function as intended. You can order them in packs of 36 or 72, depending on the size of your home and number of outlets you have.
Pros
- Tested for safety
- Best levels of protection
- Made from the best materials
Cons
- Often out of stock due to demand
PRObebi Babyproofing Plugs – Easiest to Remove
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These baby proofing outlet plugs from PRObebi stand out for their ease-of-use. They can slot right into a standard socket with ease, allowing you to protect your children and babyproof your home in a matter of minutes. And once each safety plug is in position, it’s very hard for babies or toddlers to remove due to its flat fit. When you need to remove the outlet protectors later on, you can make use of a secret hidden ring-pull handle on the inside. This way, you won’t need to break your nails or use any extra tools to take the safety plugs out.
Pros
- Super simple to remove
- Clever ring-pull design
- Strong ABS plastic
Cons
- Older children may remove them
Mommy’s Helper Outlet Plugs – Easiest to Install
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Last but not least, we have these outlet plugs from Mommy’s Helper. They’re made in the USA and crafted from high quality viscose, so they should last for years of use without any cracks or breaks. Sold in sets of 36, these outlet caps slide into your sockets and lock in position without the need for any tools or accessories. They’re firm and tough, and when you need to take them out you can use a flat tool to pry them out. This can be a little tricky the first few times, but it should become easier as you figure out the right technique.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Simple to insert
- No tools needed
Cons
- A little tricky to remove
People Also Asked
Q: What types of safety outlet covers are available?
A: There are three main types: plugs that go into the outlet directly, boxes that cover it up, and sliders that slide back and forth to allow access to the outlet.
Q: Can kids harm themselves with power outlets?
A: There are many cases of young children getting injured when playing with power outlets. And with social apps like TikTok sparking creative (and sometimes dangerous) challenges, the safety precautions also extend to younger teenagers.
Q: Are safety outlet covers necessary for toddlers?
A: They are recommended by many experts to provide safety and peace of mind. Since they’re so cheap, they’re accessible to those on a tighter budget and can prevent a costlier, fatal tragedy.
