What device should be installed to protect children from electrical shock?

• A. Ground fault interrupters only.
• B. Tamper-resistant outlets only.
• C. Childproof outlet covers or tamper-resistant outlets.
• D. Surge protectors.

Answer: (C)

Protecting children from electrical shock comes down to preventing direct access to live outlets. Tamper-resistant outlets are built with internal shutters that won’t open unless a proper plug is inserted, so curious fingers can’t contact the energized slots. Childproof outlet covers create a physical barrier over outlets when they’re not in use, reducing the chance of someone poking objects into the receptacles. These directly reduce the risk of shock from outlets.

Ground fault interrupters are important safety devices that trip power when a fault is detected, especially in damp areas, but they don’t prevent a child from touching or inserting objects into outlets. Surge protectors guard devices from voltage spikes and don’t address the risk of direct contact with live outlets.