Lock Up Your Switches
By Benjamen Johnson
Quite a few products out there will prevent toggle switches from being turned on or off, but the SwitchGuard is the only one we found that allows you to easily operate the switch if need be.
Why would you want to keep a switch locked off or on? Many houses are wired with switchable outlets, and sometimes you plug things like your TV or computer into those outlets. You don’t want somebody to accidentally flip the switch while you’re watching MythBusters or commenting on Toolmonger.com, do you?
Made by HomeHelper, the SwitchGuard attaches over your cover plate with the existing screw holes. While it prevents someone from accidentally turning a toggle switch on or off, you can easily override the lock by pressing a push button on the side of the SwitchGuard.
Available in white or beige, either color costs $10 at Amazon.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
That thing certainly shouldn’t be confused with a safety device, for keeping something off you don’t want on.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
$8.50 here: http://www.webcontentplus.com/ejw/order.html
December 19th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
…or, you could buy a solid wall plate while finding out what breaker to turn off while you take out the switch and splice the hot & switch leg together. all while costing about 45cents at home depot.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Yeah, you could also take the outlet out, remove and cap the wire from the switched half of the outlet and reconnect the top and bottom outlets together. That way if there are multiple switched outlets in a room you still can use the other ones. If the neutral is split too you might have to repeat this for the neutral leg
Sometimes spending $10 is less of a pain in the butt, plus this way it’s easily reversible.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:52 am
This looks like a great product for a home with a 2 year old that just grew tall enough to flip on light switches, but not tall enough to turn them off. I know my problems have just begun.
December 21st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Quote: “You don’t want somebody to accidentally flip the switch while you’re … commenting on Toolmonger.com, do you?”
No problem, the auto refresh deletes a fair number of my posts as it is.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 am
No problem, the auto refresh deletes a fair number of my posts as it is.
No doubt!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Bart’sDad Says:
This looks like a great product for a home with a 2 year old that just grew tall enough to flip on light switches, but not tall enough to turn them off. I know my problems have just begun.
That is an awesome idea! I wish these were a little cheaper.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Bart’sDad- wait til he’s 12 and sees no reason to turn ANYTHING off, EVER!