ParentlistOutlet Covers
Plug-in or sliding covers that keep fingers out of sockets.
- Priority
- Essential
- Ages
- 6 months-4 years
- Category
- Safety & Babyproofing
When you need it
Outlet covers become important from around 6 months, when babies start rolling, scooting and exploring at floor level. They stay useful through the preschool years, until around age 4, by which point most kids understand outlets are off-limits.
What to look for
Sliding or self-closing covers that replace the whole faceplate are harder for kids to defeat and can't get lost or end up in a mouth. If you use plug-in caps, choose ones that are large, snug and hard to pull out, and check them now and then. Find out whether your outlets are already tamper-resistant, since many newer homes have them. Cover every reachable outlet, including ones behind furniture and in hallways.
Outlet Covers: common questions
- Do I need an outlet covers?
- Yes, for most homes this is a basic babyproofing step. If your outlets are already tamper-resistant, you may not need extra covers, though some parents add them anyway. Either way, it's one of the simplest and least expensive ways to make floor-level exploring safer.
- When does a baby need an outlet covers?
- A baby needs outlet covers in place once they start rolling, crawling or reaching around, typically from about 6 months.
Ages
- 6 Month Old essentials (6-9 months)
- 9 Month Old essentials (9-12 months)
- 1 Year Old essentials (12-18 months)
- 18 Month Old essentials (18-24 months)
- 2 Year Old essentials (2-3 years)
- 3-5 Year Old essentials (3-5 years)
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