What are tamper-resistant outlets and does Ontario code require them?

Tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) are outlets with built-in spring-loaded shutters that block foreign objects from being inserted into the slots, and yes, the Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires them on all new or replaced outlets throughout the home. These are not the same as those plastic plug covers parents stick into outlets — tamper-resistant receptacles have the safety mechanism built directly into the device, so there is nothing to lose, forget to replace, or for a child to pull out.

The way they work is straightforward. Inside each slot, a spring-loaded shutter blocks access. When you insert a proper plug, both prongs press against both shutters simultaneously, and the equal pressure causes them to slide open and allow the prongs through. If a child tries to insert a single object — a key, a hairpin, a fork — into just one slot, the shutter on that side will not open because there is no simultaneous pressure on the other shutter. It is a simple mechanical solution that has dramatically reduced electrical burn injuries in children since becoming code-required.

The Ontario Electrical Safety Code adopted the tamper-resistant requirement in line with the Canadian Electrical Code, Section 26-700. Every new outlet installed in a dwelling unit and every outlet that is replaced must now be tamper-resistant. This applies everywhere in the home — bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, basements, garages. The only common exception is outlets installed more than 1.7 metres above the floor (where children cannot reach) and certain dedicated appliance outlets behind heavy appliances.

The good news is that tamper-resistant outlets are barely more expensive than standard outlets — typically $3 to $8 per device versus $2 to $5 for a standard receptacle. The installed cost runs $150 to $300 per outlet, which is essentially the same as replacing any outlet since the labour is identical. Every major manufacturer — Leviton, Eaton, Hubbell, Legrand — makes tamper-resistant versions of all their outlet lines, including decorator-style, GFCI, USB combination, and weather-resistant models.

If you live in an older Toronto home — and the majority of housing stock across the GTA predates the tamper-resistant requirement — your existing outlets are almost certainly not tamper-resistant. You are not required to proactively replace every outlet in your home just because the code changed. The requirement applies when outlets are newly installed or replaced. However, if you have young children or grandchildren visiting, upgrading the outlets in accessible areas to tamper-resistant models is one of the most cost-effective child safety improvements you can make.

A like-for-like outlet swap — replacing an existing outlet with a tamper-resistant version on the same circuit with no wiring changes — does not require an ESA permit and is one of the few electrical tasks a homeowner can legally do in Ontario. Turn off the breaker, confirm power is off with a voltage tester, swap the device using screw-terminal connections (never backstab), and restore power. If you would rather have it done professionally, or if you want to upgrade multiple outlets at once, Toronto Electrical Repair can connect you with a licensed electrician through the Toronto Construction Network.