Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
When our homeowner wanted more protection against electrocution risks for his children, contractor Zack Dettmore called in an electrical pro for help.
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Most new parents babyproof their homes with those plastic outlet plug guards to help prevent a child-involved electrical accident. However, seasoned parents will tell you that kids can pull them out just as easily as they install. The real solution is tamper-proof outlet installation, and contractor Zack Dettmore called in a pro to help our homeowner install them.
1. Shut off the breaker controlling the outlet. Return to the outlet and test it with an outlet tester to ensure it’s powered off.
2. Remove the cover plate from the outlet and then remove the screws holding the outlet to the electrical box. Pull the outlet out of the box.
3. Examine the existing wiring. You’ll have a hot wire connected to the gold screw or terminals, at least one neutral wire connected to the white screw or terminal, and possibly a ground. Take note of the colors and where they were installed. Also, if there isn’t a bare copper wire (the ground), we’ll install one.
4. Remove the wires from the existing outlet. Use a pair of diagonal cutters to cut each wire, snipping them one at a time.
5. If there isn’t a ground wire, cut a length of bare copper wire about 18 inches long. Bend a loop in the middle of the wire and then bend the loop at a 90-degree angle. Place a green ground screw in the loop, align the screw with the threaded hole in the back of the electrical box, and fasten the ground wire to the electrical box.
Snip one end of the wire shorter and tie it in with the ground wires in the electrical box with wire nut, and leave the other end to be wired to the outlet.
6. Check the back of the tamper-proof outlet for a guide to show you how much wire to strip. Strip each wire back this amount with a pair of wire strippers.
7. Open up the levers on the back of the outlet and insert the wires into the corresponding holes. The hot wire will attach to the black levers, the neutral wires attach to the white levers, and the ground goes to the green lever. Clamp each of the levers down after installation.
8. Carefully fold the wires into the electrical box, resecure the outlet, and reinstall the cover plate before flipping the breaker back on and testing the outlet.
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How to Upgrade to a Tamper Proof Outlet | This First House
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When our homeowner wanted more protection against electrocution risks for his children, contractor Zack Dettmore called in an electrical pro for help.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
Most new parents babyproof their homes with those plastic outlet plug guards to help prevent a child-involved electrical accident. However, seasoned parents will tell you that kids can pull them out just as easily as they install. The real solution is tamper-proof outlet installation, and contractor Zack Dettmore called in a pro to help our homeowner install them.
1. Shut off the breaker controlling the outlet. Return to the outlet and test it with an outlet tester to ensure it’s powered off.
2. Remove the cover plate from the outlet and then remove the screws holding the outlet to the electrical box. Pull the outlet out of the box.
3. Examine the existing wiring. You’ll have a hot wire connected to the gold screw or terminals, at least one neutral wire connected to the white screw or terminal, and possibly a ground. Take note of the colors and where they were installed. Also, if there isn’t a bare copper wire (the ground), we’ll install one.
4. Remove the wires from the existing outlet. Use a pair of diagonal cutters to cut each wire, snipping them one at a time.
5. If there isn’t a ground wire, cut a length of bare copper wire about 18 inches long. Bend a loop in the middle of the wire and then bend the loop at a 90-degree angle. Place a green ground screw in the loop, align the screw with the threaded hole in the back of the electrical box, and fasten the ground wire to the electrical box.
Snip one end of the wire shorter and tie it in with the ground wires in the electrical box with wire nut, and leave the other end to be wired to the outlet.
6. Check the back of the tamper-proof outlet for a guide to show you how much wire to strip. Strip each wire back this amount with a pair of wire strippers.
7. Open up the levers on the back of the outlet and insert the wires into the corresponding holes. The hot wire will attach to the black levers, the neutral wires attach to the white levers, and the ground goes to the green lever. Clamp each of the levers down after installation.
8. Carefully fold the wires into the electrical box, resecure the outlet, and reinstall the cover plate before flipping the breaker back on and testing the outlet.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Want weekly tips, project guides, and behind-the-scenes content from the TOH crew?
Sign up for our free newsletter here: thisoldhouse.com/pages/newsletters
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
Follow This First House:
Official website: thisfirsthouse.com
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: @thisfirsthouseofficial
TikTok: @thisfirsthouse
How to Upgrade to a Tamper Proof Outlet | This First House
youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse
