How to childproof electrical outlets in older New Brunswick homes?

Childproofing Electrical Outlets in Older New Brunswick Homes

Older homes across New Brunswick — particularly pre-1980 builds common in Moncton's downtown, Saint John's uptown, and Fredericton's south side — present unique electrical safety challenges when you have young children. Many of these homes still have ungrounded 2-prong outlets, worn receptacles with loose plug fit, and outlets placed at heights and locations that don't meet current safety standards.

Understanding What You're Working With

Before childproofing, identify what type of outlets your older New Brunswick home has:

Ungrounded 2-prong outlets are found in homes built before the mid-1960s. These have no ground wire and only accept 2-prong plugs. They provide no ground fault protection and are the highest risk for child safety because many won't accept modern tamper-resistant cover plates designed for 3-prong outlets.

Grounded 3-prong outlets (non-tamper-resistant) are found in homes from the 1960s through 2009. These have a ground wire but lack the internal spring-loaded shutters that block foreign objects from being inserted into the slots.

Tamper-resistant receptacles (TR) have been required by the Canadian Electrical Code for all 15A and 20A receptacles in new construction and renovations since 2009. These have internal shutters that only open when both prongs of a plug are inserted simultaneously — a child pushing a paperclip or key into one slot can't open the shutter.

Childproofing Options by Outlet Type

For ungrounded 2-prong outlets:

Replace with tamper-resistant GFCI receptacles — This is the best long-term solution. A tamper-resistant GFCI outlet ($25-$40 each) can be legally installed on an ungrounded circuit in New Brunswick because the GFCI provides ground fault protection even without a ground wire. The outlet must be labelled "No Equipment Ground" with stickers included in the GFCI package. Professional installation costs $75-$150 per outlet.

Outlet covers (plastic plug inserts) — The cheapest option at $3-$8 for a pack of 12-36. However, studies show these are only moderately effective — children as young as 2 can learn to remove them, and parents often forget to replace them after use. They're a temporary measure, not a permanent solution.

Sliding outlet covers — These mount over the outlet plate and have a spring-loaded cover that slides closed when the plug is removed ($5-$10 each). More effective than plug inserts because children can't remove them without tools.

For grounded 3-prong non-TR outlets:

Replace with tamper-resistant receptacles — The most effective permanent solution. TR receptacles cost $4-$8 each and are a direct swap for any standard 3-prong outlet. A homeowner comfortable with basic electrical work can do this themselves in New Brunswick (with a TSANB permit), or hire an electrician for $50-$100 per outlet including materials.

Outlet box covers — For outlets you rarely use, a blank cover plate ($2-$3) or a locking outlet cover ($8-$15) completely blocks access.

Priority Areas in Your Home

Focus childproofing efforts on these high-risk locations first:

• Outlets below 600mm (2 feet) from the floor — These are at a toddler's eye and hand level. In older New Brunswick homes, outlets are often mounted at 300mm (12 inches), which is perfect reaching height for crawling babies.
• Kitchen and bathroom outlets — These should have both tamper resistance AND GFCI protection. The CEC requires GFCI protection within 1.5 metres of a sink.
• Bedroom outlets near cribs and beds — Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection is now required by the CEC for bedroom circuits in new work. While not mandatory for existing circuits, it's a worthwhile upgrade ($35-$50 per AFCI breaker) for added fire protection in children's rooms.
• Basement and garage outlets — Often overlooked but accessible to children in homes with open-concept lower levels common in New Brunswick split-levels and bi-levels.

The Best Permanent Solution

The single most effective childproofing measure is replacing all accessible outlets with tamper-resistant receptacles. For a typical 3-bedroom New Brunswick home with 40-60 outlets, the materials cost is $200-$500. Having a licensed electrician do the full house runs $1,500-$3,000, which includes updating any worn or damaged outlets discovered during the process.

If your home still has the original 2-prong outlets, this is also the opportunity to upgrade to grounded circuits or at minimum install GFCI-protected tamper-resistant outlets throughout the home — improving both child safety and your home's electrical system.

Important Safety Note

Never use 3-prong to 2-prong adapters ("cheater plugs") as a workaround in a home with children. These defeat the ground protection and create a loose connection that children can pull apart. If your home has 2-prong outlets, invest in proper GFCI upgrades rather than relying on adapters.

For any electrical work beyond simple TR outlet swaps, contact a TSANB-licensed electrician and obtain the required electrical permit. The safety of your children is worth the investment.

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