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A child may push a small metal object in, thus getting electrocuted.

The question does not mention voltage but the voltage the outlet is supplying would make a BIG difference to the danger of electrocution if paper clips or other small metal parts were pushed into the socket-holes.

Outlets supplying 240 volts are certainly more dangerous than 120 volt outlets but even 120 volts can give a nasty shock if the person touching a "hot" or "live" contact is standing barefoot on a damp cement or earth floor or is, maybe, sitting in damp diapers (or baby nappies) on any other kind of conductive surface, such as damp carpet or damp wooden flooring laid over a concrete base.

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As the questioner refers to 'switching' the socket on and off, presumably the question relates to a British 230-V, 13-A, (type G) socket outlet. With these types of socket, there is very little danger of a child pushing metal objects into the terminals, as they are protected with shutters that prevent foreign objects from being casually pushed into the line or neutral contacts. So, from that point of view, these sockets are quite safe to leave switched on, although many people make a habit of switching them off when not in use.

Further to this topic, 'childproof safety covers' should NEVER be used on British-type socket outlets, even though they are readily available in stores. The shutters built into the sockets provide the necessary safety. However, by inserting the so-called 'safety covers' into the socket upside down, a child can cause the shutters to open! In other words such 'safety covers' are DANGEROUS!!

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