North American power outlets are topsy turvy - but does it matter?

https://lemmy.ml/post/5651989

North American power outlets are topsy turvy - but does it matter? - Lemmy

I’m surprised there hasn’t been a proactive step to improving electrical safety in North America. As an onlooker, whose done zero research apart from watching YT videos, the regulations seem to be vague/relaxed.
Probably because it’s not all that much of a problem. It’s not very common to hurt yourself via normal use of American electrical devices. Not when we have cars and guns to wantonly kill each other with.

nfpa.org/…/InjuriesElectricalOutletsFactSheet.pdf

Injuries involving electrical receptacles (also referred to as outlets) sent an estimated 5,500 people to hospital emergency departments in 2015.

Sure it’s less than others killing machines like cars but it’s not insignificant.

We have child safety outlets that are required in remodels and new construction. The regulation is over a decade old. If people replaced their old outlets, the vast majority of those injuries would not be present. The outlets are about $1 each.