Child-Safe Outlet Cover

Outlets in modern houses are very useful for having power just by plugging a cord into the wall. Outlets allow us to use vacuum cleaners, toasters, and all other appliances and charging cables that plug into an outlet. However, standard outlets in the United States are typically connected to about 120 volts, which could be dangerous. Most people say that anything more than 50 volts would shock you pretty badly if exposed to it, so 120-volt outlets should be used cautiously.

In many homes, people with kids use outlet plugs which disable the outlet and prevent a child from sticking something metal into the outlet so they can't shock themselves. However, the problem with this solution is these small plugs are very inconvenient and get lost a lot, and usually, people end up not using them after a while. This instructable is going to cover how to make a "Child-Safe Outlet Cover" using a 3D printer that doesn't require these small plugs and can block off the outlet by snapping it closed.

3D Printer (Any brand 3D printer should suffice)

3D Printer Filament (Any size compatible with 3D printer)

Standard Screwdriver (For removing old cover and installing Child-Safe cover)

There are two pieces for this Child-Safe Outlet Cover, one that replaces the outlet cover, and the other is the door that blocks off the outlets when not being used. Since these pieces are fairly big, some 3D printers may require printing both parts separately. The STL Files are linked below for printing these parts.

I use Cura to slice 3D printed parts, and I printed them at 100% infill density just to make sure they were strong. Any print setting you would typically use for 3D printing parts should work for this Child-Safe outlet cover as well.

Since these parts don't have many overhangs, they are very straightforward to print. However, for the outlet cover piece, I used 4% density supports for the part that isn't supported by the print bed. Not doing this won't affect the functionality of the part, but it will look nicer if you add supports to this spot when printing.

After printing both parts for the outlet cover, both of the parts need to be put together to finish making the Child-Safe Outlet Cover. Both the door and the cover have a top and a bottom, and they must be put together accordingly. The door has a small slant to it on one side, and this will be the top, facing away from the outlet.

To put both pieces together, the rod must be pushed into the top hinge first, and then into the bottom hinge. The top hinge is a through-hole and will allow you to push the rod as far as it will go, whereas the bottom hinge has a fairly shallow hole that will hold the door in place. Sometimes turning the door back and forth will help with getting the top hinge pushed in.

After installing the door to the cover, the door will be functional and able to turn back and forth and should snap shut when you close it, making it difficult to open for children. Having that resistance to opening and closing is a good thing so only older people are able to access the outlets.

After printing the new Child-Safe Outlet Cover and putting it together, we need to uninstall the old outlet cover and install the new one. Outlet covers are very simple to remove and install because they only have one small screw securing them to the wall.

To remove the old outlet cover, use a standard screwdriver to loosen the screw, and the old outlet cover can be removed from the outlet. Be cautious when completing this step. Once you have the outlet cover removed, the outlet is exposed and should not be touched with anything metal or conductive.

After removing the old outlet cover, the new Child-Safe Outlet Cover can be installed. To install it, simply put it over the outlet where the old cover was, and reapply the screw securing it to the wall. Usually I make sure the outlet cover is seated against the wall before tightening the screw to make sure I don't scratch the wall.

After seating the outlet cover against the wall, tighten the screw about hand tight to finish installing the Child-Safe Outlet Cover.

After installing the new outlet cover, the door on it can be snapped shut to disable the outlets and protect children from sticking anything metal into the outlet and shocking themselves. Having a small door that snaps shut will greatly increase the safety of children around a house, and will eliminate the need for outlet plugs that are inconvenient to use.

Also, printing them in a cool color makes these outlet covers an aesthetic upgrade as well!