Walk into any baby section and you'll find a bag of 20 plastic outlet covers for three bucks. Parents buy them by the handful. But here's the thing most people don't realize: those little plug-in covers might actually create a new hazard.
The Problem With Plug-In Covers
You know the ones. Small plastic pieces you push into the outlet holes. Here's why they're not great:
They come out. Toddlers figure out how to pull them out surprisingly fast. Some kids can pop them out by 18 months. And once they're out, they're a choking hazard.
Parents remove them and forget. You unplug a cover to use the outlet, plug in your phone, and when you unplug later, the cover doesn't go back on. It sits on the counter. The outlet stays exposed.
They require consistency. Every single outlet, every single time. That's a lot of opportunities to mess up.
Sliding Outlet Plates: The Better Option
Sliding plate covers replace your existing outlet plate with one that has spring-loaded shutters over the plug holes. When you need to use the outlet, you slide the cover open and plug in. When you unplug, the shutters snap closed automatically.
- Why they're better:
- Can't be removed by kids (they're screwed in)
- No small pieces to become choking hazards
- Self-closing means you can't forget
- Look cleaner than plastic plugs sticking out everywhere
The downside: They cost $3-5 each instead of pennies. For a whole house with 30+ outlets, that adds up to about $100-150. But you install them once and forget about them.
Self-Closing Outlet Covers
These are similar to sliding plates but use internal shutters that only open when both prong holes are pressed simultaneously, like when inserting an actual plug. A child poking one hole with a finger or object won't open the mechanism.
These are the gold standard. They're built into new construction outlets now, but you can retrofit older outlets with replacement receptacles that include this feature.
My Recommendation
If you're renting and can't change outlets, get the sliding plate covers. They just swap out the face plate with a screwdriver. Takes 2 minutes per outlet and doesn't modify the actual electrical work.
If you own your home, consider replacing outlets in kid-accessible areas with tamper-resistant receptacles. An electrician can do the whole house in a couple hours, or it's a straightforward DIY project if you're comfortable turning off breakers.
What About Outlet Boxes?
For outlets behind furniture where things stay plugged in (TV, lamp, etc.), use outlet cover boxes. They enclose the entire outlet and plugs so kids can't pull cords out or touch the prongs.
Bottom Line
Those cheap plug-in covers are better than nothing. But "better than nothing" is a low bar. For a few extra dollars per outlet, sliding plates or tamper-resistant receptacles give you actual protection that doesn't depend on remembering to put a cover back every time.