Protect your children from electrical hazards with professional childproofing services from Unity Power & Light. As Aiken's trusted electrical contractor, we help families create safer homes through modern tamper-resistant outlets, GFCI upgrades, and comprehensive safety solutions tailored to your family's needs.
Why Electrical Childproofing Matters
Every year, thousands of children suffer electrical injuries in their homes—injuries that are almost entirely preventable. Young children are naturally curious, and electrical outlets, cords, and devices can be irresistible to exploring hands and mouths. A comprehensive electrical childproofing strategy provides layers of protection that work together to keep your little ones safe.
Many Aiken homes, particularly our beautiful historic properties built before 2008, don't have the modern safety features that newer homes include as standard. If your home was built before the National Electrical Code began requiring tamper-resistant outlets, your children may be at risk every day.
Professional childproofing goes beyond simple plastic outlet covers. We install permanent, code-compliant safety features that protect your children without requiring you to remember to replace caps or covers constantly.
Our Electrical Childproofing Services
Tamper-Resistant Outlet Installation
Tamper-resistant (TR) outlets are the gold standard for child electrical safety. These outlets feature built-in spring-loaded shutters that only open when equal pressure is applied to both slots simultaneously—exactly what happens when you insert a standard plug.
How they protect your family:
- Prevent children from inserting objects into outlets
- Work automatically—no caps to replace
- Protect whether outlet is in use or not
- Required by code in all new construction since 2008
- Compatible with all standard plugs and devices
We can upgrade individual rooms or your entire home. Most families start with bedrooms, playrooms, and living areas where children spend the most time.
GFCI Upgrades in Children's Areas
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets provide critical protection against electrical shock by shutting off power within milliseconds if they detect an electrical imbalance. This protection is essential anywhere water and electricity might come into contact.
Key installation areas:
- Bathrooms (required by code)
- Kitchens and wet bars
- Outdoor play areas and patios
- Laundry rooms and utility areas
- Garages and workshops
- Indoor play areas with water tables or aquariums
We can install GFCI protection at the outlet level or at your electrical panel to protect entire circuits, depending on what makes the most sense for your home.
Outlet Cover Installation
While tamper-resistant outlets are the best long-term solution, we also install high-quality outlet covers for families looking for immediate protection or supplemental safety measures.
Options include:
- Standard plug-in outlet caps
- Sliding outlet covers (allow use without removal)
- Outlet boxes (cover entire outlet plate)
- Weatherproof outdoor outlet covers
We'll help you select the right covers for your specific needs and install them properly for maximum protection.
Cord Concealment Solutions
Electrical cords present multiple hazards for children—shock risks from damaged insulation, tripping hazards, and strangulation dangers. We provide professional cord management solutions that keep cords out of reach and out of sight.
Our solutions:
- Cable management channels along baseboards
- In-wall wiring to eliminate visible cords
- Strategic outlet additions to reduce extension cord use
- Cord shortening and bundling
- Furniture-mounted power solutions
Many Aiken homes, especially older properties, have fewer outlets than modern families need. Rather than relying on extension cords, we can add properly located outlets that eliminate cord clutter and hazards.
Safety Audits for Families with Young Children
Not sure where to start? Our comprehensive electrical safety audit identifies all potential hazards in your home and provides a prioritized action plan tailored to your family's specific situation.
What we examine:
- All outlet locations and types
- GFCI protection in wet areas
- Cord management and extension cord use
- Floor-level and low-mounted outlets
- Outdoor electrical safety
- Electrical panel capacity and safety features
- Light fixtures and ceiling fan security
After the audit, we provide a detailed report with clear recommendations and cost estimates, so you can make informed decisions about protecting your family.
Additional Outlet Installation
If you're constantly using extension cords because outlets aren't where you need them, it's time to add properly located outlets. This not only improves safety but also makes your home more functional.
Common additions:
- Floor outlets in living areas
- Higher-mounted outlets out of children's reach
- USB charging outlets in bedrooms
- Outdoor outlets for backyard activities
- Dedicated circuits for large appliances
We'll assess your home's electrical capacity and recommend locations that work with your lifestyle while meeting all safety codes.
Our Childproofing Process
Free Consultation
We visit your Aiken home to understand your family's needs, assess your current electrical system, and identify potential hazards. We'll discuss your priorities and budget to create a customized plan.
Detailed Safety Assessment
Our licensed electricians conduct a room-by-room evaluation, checking outlet types and locations, GFCI protection, cord management issues, and other electrical safety concerns specific to families with young children.
Prioritized Recommendations
We provide a clear, written report with prioritized recommendations. We'll identify critical safety issues that should be addressed immediately and suggest additional improvements that can be completed over time as your budget allows.
Professional Installation
Our experienced electricians complete all work efficiently and with minimal disruption to your family. We use high-quality, code-compliant materials and ensure every installation meets or exceeds current electrical codes.
Testing and Verification
After installation, we thoroughly test all new outlets and safety devices to ensure they're functioning correctly. We'll demonstrate how everything works and provide guidance on maintaining your new safety features.
Safety Education
We don't just install equipment and leave. We take time to educate you about your home's electrical safety features, point out any remaining areas to monitor, and provide age-appropriate safety tips you can share with your children.
Electrical Childproofing Pricing
We believe in transparent, upfront pricing so you can make informed decisions about your family's safety. While every home is different, here are typical price ranges for our childproofing services:
Tamper-Resistant Outlets
$75-$150 per outlet
- Includes outlet and installation
- Higher cost for difficult access locations
- Discounts for multiple outlet upgrades
Full-Room Childproofing
$200-$400 per room
- All outlets upgraded to TR
- GFCI protection if needed
- Cord management solutions
- Price varies by room size and complexity
Complete Home Package
Custom pricing
- Whole-home safety audit
- All outlets upgraded
- GFCI protection throughout
- Additional outlet installation
- Significant savings vs. per-room pricing
Additional services:
- Safety audit only: $99 (credited toward work if you proceed)
- GFCI outlet installation: $125-$200 per outlet
- New outlet installation: $150-$300 per outlet (depending on location and wiring requirements)
- Outlet cover installation: $25-$50 per cover (covers not included)
All prices include labor, materials, code-compliant installation, and testing. We'll provide a detailed written estimate before beginning any work, so there are never surprises.
Why Choose Unity Power & Light for Electrical Childproofing?
Local Aiken Expertise
We understand Aiken homes—from historic downtown properties to modern developments in Woodside Plantation and Cedar Creek. We know the unique challenges each type of home presents and provide solutions that work with your home's specific configuration.
Licensed and Experienced
Our electricians hold South Carolina electrical contractor license #117080. We're bonded, insured, and veteran-owned. We've childproofed homes throughout Aiken, North Augusta, Graniteville, and surrounding communities.
Family-Focused Service
As members of the Aiken community, we understand the importance of protecting our families. We treat your home with the same care and attention we'd give our own, providing honest recommendations focused on your children's safety, not upselling unnecessary services.
Quality Materials
We use only high-quality, code-compliant outlets and materials from trusted manufacturers. Cheaper products might save money initially but can fail when you need them most. We install products we'd trust in our own homes.
Comprehensive Solutions
We don't just swap outlets and leave. We take a holistic approach to electrical safety, considering your entire home's electrical system and your family's specific needs. Our solutions address both immediate hazards and long-term safety.
Flexible Scheduling
We know how busy family life can be. We offer flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend appointments, to work around your schedule. Most childproofing projects can be completed in a few hours with minimal disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I childproof my electrical system?
Start before your child becomes mobile—ideally during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Babies can crawl as early as 6 months, so it's better to childproof early rather than scrambling when they start exploring.
Will tamper-resistant outlets work with all my devices?
Yes. TR outlets work with all standard two-prong and three-prong plugs. You might notice slightly more resistance when inserting plugs compared to standard outlets, but this is normal and ensures the safety mechanism is working.
Can I install tamper-resistant outlets myself?
While TR outlets are available at hardware stores, we strongly recommend professional installation. Improper wiring can create serious safety hazards. In South Carolina, electrical work must be performed by licensed electricians to ensure compliance with state codes.
How long does childproofing take?
A single room typically takes 1-2 hours. A whole-home upgrade might take a full day, depending on the size of your home and the number of outlets. We work efficiently to minimize disruption to your family.
Do I need to upgrade every outlet in my home?
Not necessarily. We recommend prioritizing outlets in rooms where children spend time and outlets at floor level or within reach. You can always upgrade additional outlets later as your budget allows.
What's the difference between outlet covers and tamper-resistant outlets?
Outlet covers are removable plastic caps that children can potentially remove or that you might forget to replace. Tamper-resistant outlets have built-in safety mechanisms that work automatically, whether the outlet is in use or not. TR outlets provide superior, permanent protection.
Learn More About Electrical Childproofing
Read our comprehensive guide: Childproofing Your Home's Electrical System: A Guide for Aiken Parents
This detailed article covers everything from understanding tamper-resistant outlets to teaching your children about electrical safety.
Protect Your Family with Professional Electrical Childproofing
Serving Aiken, SC and surrounding communities including North Augusta, Graniteville, New Ellenton, Jackson, and Clearwater. Get your flat-rate quote today.