Comments on: Child Proof Your Electrical Outlets to Cut Energy Costs

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:48:22 +0000

Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) requires that all plugs now installed in new houses must be child/tamper resistant. Just an FYI.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:42:28 +0000

I bought the foam and plugs bulk online a few months ago, and today it was crazy windy so I got to do some before/after testing. Amazing how much of a breeze blows in through those little outlet holes and through the gaps.

After the foam – nothing.

BTW – I know that in this age of fear and lawsuits you have to say “turn the power off”, but seriously – you’d have to be trying hard to shock yourself. The whole operation on one outlet shouldn’t take more than 60 seconds – 45 seconds of which is unscrewing and screwing the two screws…

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:48:31 +0000

LOVE the dog and the tip! I had no idea that such a small change could net such tangible savings. There’s just one more example of the amazing Power of Small.

By: Weekly Roundup: Picking Up The Pace Edition | Frugal Dad

Weekly Roundup: Picking Up The Pace Edition | Frugal Dad — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:01:20 +0000

[...] Child Proof Your Electrical Outlets to Cut Energy Costs. From the “every little bit helps” pile comes this ingenious post from Kerry. One could easily add these insulating foam gaskets to every outlet in their house for just a few bucks and a little time. Bonus: Kerry recently announced she’s authored a new book–397 Ways to Save Money. Congratulations! (@ Squawk Fox) [...]

By: Economic Statistics From The Bush - Cheney Administration: Play Him Off, Keyboard Cat!

Thu, 21 May 2009 02:01:50 +0000

[...] Squawkfox: Child Proof Your Electrical Outlets to Cut Energy Costs [...]

By: Fave 5 links: 5.16.09 «

Fave 5 links: 5.16.09 « — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:25:21 +0000

[...] duty: child proofing your outlets also saves on your energy bill. [...]

By: dawger911

dawger911 — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:02:43 +0000

Your dog rules!

By: Friday Links | The Canadian Finance Blog

Friday Links | The Canadian Finance Blog — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:07:41 +0000

[...] Squawkfox shows us that you can child proof your electrical outlets to cut energy costs. [...]

By: Kerry

Kerry — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:07:29 +0000

@FupDuckTV and @Four Pillars Carl laughed at my turning the circuit breaker off to insulate the outlets. I just feel safer.

@DavidV LOL Good question! The answer depends on the gap size cut into your wall for the outlet. In my case, the electrician cut a good sized hole into my wall – which really leaked. From a cost perspective the gaskets cost less than the plugs so you’d see quicker savings (based on price) by going the gasket route. If you decided to do the child proof plugs too you could just tell your lady friends that you’re a good uncle.

By: DavidV

DavidV — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:49:16 +0000

Is it the gasket or the plugs that really give the savings? I’d be happy to do the gasket, but I don’t have any children and don’t want to give visiting women the wrong idea!