outlet insulators from styrofoam meat trays

**Luckybustert** · 12-31-2009, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Hey.....that is what we wanted fixer for........the safety question.....can you ask your hubby if it would be safe to use the trays???

The 'kicker' is that you have to combine a lot of the boughten ones as they only make certain ones - IE: I have a triple switch by my front door and have another that has two switches and a plug in....they don't sell those...so would save some money.

I asked my hubby and he said as long as none of the wires are poking out toward the front of the receptacle there's no danger in using the styrofoam meat trays in lieu of the commercially manufactured outlet insulators.

**KeithBC** · 12-31-2009, 11:16 PM

I wouldn't use styrofoam. It will burn and produce toxic gases.

You definitely want any plastics in the electrical box to be fire-resistant. The reason that electrical codes require all connections to be located inside of metal boxes is so that, if there is an electrical spark, nothing will catch fire.

How many times have you read news stories about house fires that were blamed on "faulty wiring"? Using non-flame-resistant plastic for your insulators would make your wiring "faulty" (i.e. not to code). It might even affect your insurance coverage if there were to be a fire.

I think the risk is too high to justify not spending those few bucks.

**fixer** · 01-06-2010, 11:25 PM

I can't leave you people alone for a second. My professional answer is, I am not sure. For that reason, I would use something that was labeled for the application.

**frugalwarrior2** · 01-07-2010, 12:32 AM

I just had a weird thought.Yes, another one. Can you really get all the blood out? Would this attract flies or ants? Would my beagle stick his tongue in the socket?? Fire aside, I think I just talked myself out of it.

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2010, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by fixer

I can't leave you people alone for a second. My professional answer is, I am not sure. For that reason, I would use something that was labeled for the application.

WELL!!! It took you long enough to get here!!!!!!!

We could have burned 15 homes down waiting for you!!!!

Thanks for such a succinct answer!! Certainly assured me!

**sabrelvssammy** · 01-07-2010, 10:21 AM

hey fixer...where the heck you been...? the place fell apart without you....

well if you all must know...i did make 3 outlet insulators out of meat trays...(its all i had at the moment)...i thought i would make more as i accumulated more trays... (since i kept giving them away coz i didn't know what to do with them)....

do i feel comfortable with what i have done? i don't know...the jury is still out...you never know about me and i may one day run to the outlets and start ripping them out... one thing is for sure...i will start watching for the insulators to be on clearance...then maybe i can have the best of both worlds....

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2010, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by sabrelvssammy

one thing is for sure...i will start watching for the insulators to be on clearance...then maybe i can have the best of both worlds....

I have never seen them marked down at Lowe's or HD - however, if you have a Habitat Store, might check there. Not very often, but I have found a pack there. I do find lots of the other type insulation thought - the kind that goes around the doors.

Have to know the prices to shop at ours, as they aren't always that good of prices.