November 2005
Electrical outlet and stove-knob covers
For the over-the-outlet type of electrical outlet cover plates, we rated the Mommy's Helper Safe-Plate Safety Outlet Cover, $4, as effective in limiting the risk of injury to children up to about 4 1/2 years old. The plastic plate uses a spring-loaded sliding outlet cover to prevent injury. The device is easy to install and requires only a single screw. Foam backing helps keep it in place. The KidCo S200 Decora Outlet Cover, $5, was another good choice among wall-mounted, over-the-outlet type cover plates.
We also liked the Safety 1st Outlet Cover & Cord Shortener,
$4. It encloses the socket and the electrical cords with a plastic cover to prevent injury. The device is designed to work only with outlets that have a center screw and provides added protection against entanglement in the cords by taking up extra slack. Drawbacks: It can be difficult even for an adult to open. And, in general, it isn't advisable to coil up power cords, because they can heat up. The label advises not to use it for appliances drawing 600 watts or more, or for extension cords supporting more than one appliance.
Among the individual plug-type outlet covers (the simplest type), the Mommy's Helper Outlet Plugs Individual Outlet Caps, $1 for 12, was rated best of its type. The plugs were big enough that they didn't pose a choking hazard, fit snugly, and were easily visible. Their drawback: Children as young as 4 may be able to pull them out of the socket once they develop some manual dexterity, though removing them requires some effort. Directions suggest that adults remove them using a fingernail or non-metallic tool.
Other products we tested:
For the over-the-outlet type of electrical outlet cover plates, we rated the Mommy's Helper Safe-Plate Safety Outlet Cover, $4, as effective in limiting the risk of injury to children up to about 4 1/2 years old. The plastic plate uses a spring-loaded sliding outlet cover to prevent injury. The device is easy to install and requires only a single screw. Foam backing helps keep it in place. The KidCo S200 Decora Outlet Cover, $5, was another good choice among wall-mounted, over-the-outlet type cover plates.
We also liked the Safety 1st Outlet Cover & Cord Shortener,
$4. It encloses the socket and the electrical cords with a plastic cover to prevent injury. The device is designed to work only with outlets that have a center screw and provides added protection against entanglement in the cords by taking up extra slack. Drawbacks: It can be difficult even for an adult to open. And, in general, it isn't advisable to coil up power cords, because they can heat up. The label advises not to use it for appliances drawing 600 watts or more, or for extension cords supporting more than one appliance.
Among the individual plug-type outlet covers (the simplest type), the Mommy's Helper Outlet Plugs Individual Outlet Caps, $1 for 12, was rated best of its type. The plugs were big enough that they didn't pose a choking hazard, fit snugly, and were easily visible. Their drawback: Children as young as 4 may be able to pull them out of the socket once they develop some manual dexterity, though removing them requires some effort. Directions suggest that adults remove them using a fingernail or non-metallic tool.
Other products we tested:
- KidCo Electrical Outlet Caps, $3.50 for 12. These passed our safety tests, but they were too easy to remove, even by a young child.
- Safety 1st Ultra Clear Outlet Plugs, $1.30 for 12. These clear plugs won’t attract a child’s attention as readily as an opaque plug, but they can also be harder
for an adult to see--or find, if dropped. They are also small enough to come close to qualifying as a choking hazard.
- Safety 1st Deluxe Press-Fit Outlet Plug, $3 for eight. While easy to install, these plugs are harder to remove, even for adults, making them potentially effective
against curious kids through 5 years of age.
- Safety 1st Double-Touch Plug ’N Outlet Cover, $4 for two. This device is intended for a duplex plug that is not regularly accessed. The cover can be difficult to open--a
problem if something needs to be unplugged in a hurry.
- Safety 1st Adapter and Plug Cover, $4. This is an effective device that is meant to cover an outlet with two power adapters. It is easy to install, but it might
be opened by a child who presses on it or hits it with an object.
- Safety 1st Power Strip Cover, $7. A bulky cover for a power strip, this item poses risks for curious children via slots big enough for a child’s hands--and
big enough to pour liquids through.
- Safety 1st Stove Knob Cover, $6 for five. These covers work on stoves, usually gas, with knobs on the front. They didn’t fit on all stove knobs and were difficult to use, but they were ultimately effective. Simply removing the stove knobs would be equally effective.
