Upon reassembling the cover and the outlet, they should fit together more firmly. Slide the wires through the extender's opening and place the extender into your wall. However, if you have the proper skills, here's what to do: As a result, whenever the receptacle shifts its position, the wires might come loose and cause a fire.įixing recessed outlets is best left to professional electricians. In this case, the unit won't rest firmly on your wall, and it will be supported by the electrical box located behind it. Recessed outlets occur when receptacles are positioned too far against the wall. Two of the most common instances where electrical outlets can lead to bodily harm include recessed outlets and floating outlets. When are electrical outlets potentially hazardous? Taking caution around electrical outlets is vital in preventing injuries and more severe consequences.

The plastic lid should only be removed if you need to place an object into both spots of the receptacle, which children aren't likely to do inadvertently. The purpose of these receptacles is to place a plastic cap in front of the area where the plug is inserted. Some of them even lose their lives each year due to electrocution by electrical outlets.Īccordingly, The National Electrical Code (NEC) has mandated using tamper-resistant receptacles since 2008 in some locations.

Research indicates that nearly 90% of shock and burn victims are children six years old or younger. They can result in burns and shocks if mishandled, and these injuries are typically found in children. But is the reason for concern justified? Are electrical outlets safe to use?Įlectrical outlets can be dangerous, making them unsafe to use at times. Since their primary purpose is to supply electricity, they can be a safety issue for many homeowners, especially with children in the house. Electrical outlets can be found in nearly every corner of an average household.

Danger of open neutral outlet