Are plug outlets dangerous?

[CrazyBirdChick]

Now that I'm trying to rearrange Blu's room a bit I have an exposed outlet that looks like this


I covered it today, with a book case (as an emergency safety measure) but I would eventually like to get rid
of the bookcase leaving that wall bare.

I thought of maybe getting those baby safety plastic thingies that you insert but I'm imagining that might bring more attention to it, and he'd probably pull those right out.

My other idea was to replace it with a blank plate like this


But I would prefer to keep the plug exposed if I can cause I like to plug the night light in there, at night.

So my long winded question is...if he were to put his beak in the holes of the outlet, is that dangerous?

I'm thinking this is probably a stupid question but I'm hoping I'll be surprised to find out it's totally safe. Lol.

 

[Mizzely]

You could put in Tamper Resistant Outlets; they require equal pressure on both doors to the different sides of the plug in order to get access to the electricity.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

You could put in Tamper Resistant Outlets; they require equal pressure on both doors to the different sides of the plug in order to get access to the electricity.

That's brilliant! Thank you!!!
I'll have to ask someone else to install them cause I'm afraid to do it myself but that's such a perfect solution. I really appreciate your help!!

 

[JLcribber]

If your/my bird is ever smart enough to find a small metal object that it could manipulate and fashion into a tool that it could then skillfully be stuck into two different sockets at the same time. I quit.

My little brother did that when he was little. Kaboom. lol

 

[Clueless]

If your/my bird is ever smart enough to find a small metal object that it could manipulate and fashion into a tool that it could then skillfully be stuck into two different sockets at the same time. I quit.

My little brother did that when he was little. Kaboom. lol

My brother did that too.....remember the bobby pins?

 

[Familyof12]

I must agree that I haven't worried about electric sockets. I can see your concern but my home is really old and the sockets are about six inches from the ground and the same color as the paint (doesn't stand out). Mine have never ever shown an interest in the socket. Now plugged in electrical cords, which our pets like to sometimes chew, if we are negligent, could hurt them.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

Sorry, I'm a little slow today
Are you guys saying tamper resistant outlets are not necessary?

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

Sorry, I'm a little slow today
Are you guys saying tamper resistant outlets are not necessary?

 

[cosmolove]

I personally don't usually worry about them for the birds. Now I do use the little child safety ones for the kids tho. They're just little plastic things that fit into them.

 

[MommyBird]

other ideas from amazon: I was amazed at all the options!
there are lots, here's a small selection

look closer on this one, uses a key so can't be pried off
Amazon.com : Baby Mate 24 PCS Childproof Electrical Outlet Plugs with 4 Parent Keys (White, 1.3" x 1.1" Plug Size) - Electric Socket Cover - Child Safety Outlet Cover - Outlet Plug Cover - Safety Caps for Outlets : Baby

Amazon.com: Safety Baby Self-Closing Outlet Covers - An Alternative To Socket Plugs - 3 pack: Baby

Amazon.com : Safety 1st Double-Touch Plug 'N Outlet Covers : Electrical Safety Plugs : Baby

Amazon.com : LectraLock - Baby Safety Electrical Outlet Cover - Duplex Style (single screw type) - Flat Cover : Electrical Safety Products : Baby

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

I personally don't usually worry about them for the birds. Now I do use the little child safety ones for the kids tho. They're just little plastic things that fit into them.

Thank you! I probably shouldn't worry about it either but Blu is the type of bird that gets into everything. So if there's even a small chance it's dangerous, I'd like to do all I can not to have to worry.

other ideas from amazon: I was amazed at all the options!
there are lots, here's a small selection

look closer on this one, uses a key so can't be pried off
Amazon.com : Baby Mate 24 PCS Childproof Electrical Outlet Plugs with 4 Parent Keys (White, 1.3" x 1.1" Plug Size) - Electric Socket Cover - Child Safety Outlet Cover - Outlet Plug Cover - Safety Caps for Outlets : Baby

Amazon.com: Safety Baby Self-Closing Outlet Covers - An Alternative To Socket Plugs - 3 pack: Baby

Amazon.com : Safety 1st Double-Touch Plug 'N Outlet Covers : Electrical Safety Plugs : Baby

Amazon.com : LectraLock - Baby Safety Electrical Outlet Cover - Duplex Style (single screw type) - Flat Cover : Electrical Safety Products : Baby

These look fantastic! Thank you!!!

 

[zvezdast]

I understand your worry.
My lovebird is obsessed with one outlet in the bathroom, that is under the counter shelf with just the drawer. She has to fly to it to attach herself, and then gazes up at the dark 1" space between the drawer and the cabinet.
I, too, worry that if her nails are long enough they could reach the metal parts inside the outlet. It would have to be both nails at the same time to cause a short. I guess her nails are short.

 

[cosmolove]

My husband is an electrician, I'm going to ask him when he gets home from work today. This topic really has me curious as to how big of an issue it really is. Because another thing to think about is the big child proof covers are putting long plastic pieces in there with no issue. So wouldn't the birds nail need to be longer than that to cause a problem? I would think the birds with nails anywhere near long enough would be too big then the little birds that could fit would be too short to reach.

 

[Mizzely]

My husband is an electrician, I'm going to ask him when he gets home from work today. This topic really has me curious as to how big of an issue it really is. Because another thing to think about is the big child proof covers are putting long plastic pieces in there with no issue. So wouldn't the birds nail need to be longer than that to cause a problem? I would think the birds with nails anywhere near long enough would be too big then the little birds that could fit would be too short to reach.

The type of plastic that they use for those outlet covers do not conduct electricity.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

My husband is an electrician, I'm going to ask him when he gets home from work today. This topic really has me curious as to how big of an issue it really is. Because another thing to think about is the big child proof covers are putting long plastic pieces in there with no issue. So wouldn't the birds nail need to be longer than that to cause a problem? I would think the birds with nails anywhere near long enough would be too big then the little birds that could fit would be too short to reach.

Thanks for asking your husband. I had to leave in a hurry and had to use the bookshelf to cover this cabinet that Blu has been "personalizing" so the outlet is exposed today. I doubt he's going to mess with it today bit eventually he may discover it so I'm curious too.

 

[cosmolove]

The type of plastic that they use for those outlet covers do not conduct electricity.

Right, but I also don't think a bird's nail would either. Now a bobby pin or something like that if you had a big enough bird shoving it in there it would be a problem. My point was just the fingernail itself would be similar to the plastic.

 

[Mizzely]

Right, but I also don't think a bird's nail would either. Now a bobby pin or something like that if you had a big enough bird shoving it in there it would be a problem. My point was just the fingernail itself would be similar to the plastic.

Gotcha! Well, I know fingernails don't conduct electricity or they would work on capacitive touchscreens. I guess see if the bird can activate a touchscreen with just a talon? Since they have active blood through theirs to some degree, I'm not sure what would happen!

 

[cosmolove]

My husband said if the quick was super long the blood could conduct electricitiy but we're talking some pretty LONG thin nails here. So I think the verdict is that its not likely at all. So I mean I guess it technically is possible. I'd just buy the little toddler safety covers if you're really worried.