Ungrounded outlets & babyproofing

[Anonymous]

So, just found out all our house's outlets have no ground. How serious is this? (I'm an idiot, I know.) do I need to find an electrician and have them fixed somehow, or not? I have a toddler as well, if that effects your advice. Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

Did you have an inspection when you bought your house?

[Anonymous]

You should have them replaced, and hope that there are no other issues with your electrical. Grounded outlets are safer.

From a practical standpoint, how long have you lived there? Seems like almost all plug in items require grounded outlets?

[Anonymous]

How did you find this out? I thought all outlets were grounded now?

[Anonymous]

Watch a video online, replace them with ones that are specially made for kids and get the plugs just in case.

[Anonymous]

Grounded outlets and babyproofing are 2 separate things. For the grounding, call in an electrician and figure out if the outlet itself isn't grounded properly or the house isn't grounded properly. You can't just stick a 3 prong plug into a box and suddenly it is grounded.

As for babyproofing, if you are replacing outlets (and you likely will be) you will get tamper-resistant outlets. These have a big TR on them. These outlets have a small piece of plastic inside and don't allow someone to put their finger or pencil directly onto the conductor. Avoids the need for a billion plastic outlet covers.

[Anonymous]

We found out after buying our house that the house wasn't grounded, although the outlets were 3-prong. It cost $2k to fix.

Yes, it passed on inspection. Somehow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found out after buying our house that the house wasn't grounded, although the outlets were 3-prong. It cost $2k to fix.

Yes, it passed on inspection. Somehow.

I would have made the inspector come back and fix this or offer damages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found out after buying our house that the house wasn't grounded, although the outlets were 3-prong. It cost $2k to fix.

Yes, it passed on inspection. Somehow.

OP: that wasn't my reply, but that's what happened to us too. Got an inspection, so I'll have to review it again and possibly contact inspector... Thanks for the help. I will make sure to get all tamper resistant because I'm sure the little stinker will figure out how to get the plastic plugs out anyway! Blah, what a crappy day, finding this out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did you find this out? I thought all outlets were grounded now?

I have a fancy outlet thingy that lights up when you plug it in without a ground. So far all the outlets are not grounded.