One thing Ive noticed, alot of videos and discussion about receptacles on side of islands. But may need to update infomation. Since 2023 the NEC now states its hazzardous and now a deficiency to have it on the side due to kids jerking off a crock pot or whatever and getting burnt. To have compliant power source, either on a backsplash on a island or pop up receptacles. Im a superintendent for homebuilders and discovered the mistake on newer homes. But a power supply (like in a covered box) needs to be accessable for future applications.
2 Likes
If you do a search, you will find that this subject has been passionately discussed at length.
4 Likes
Welcome to the InterNACHI MB, Christopher.
Here are a few threads on the issue.
Kitchen island receptacles are defects - Misc. Discussion - InterNACHI®️ Forum
4 Likes
Thank you Mr. Leonard. I know a few inspectors who got in trouble not calling it out. Although many were older BC (Before Code) applications, they was not called out as a safety concern.
As a Superintendent for a few builders, I called out installation also. And got shot down in flames until another inspector had my back. Lol. I’m Texas it’s new. TREC just adopted the rule and a lot not current on the change. Thank you again. Trying to navigate the site here. I couldn’t find it.
2 Likes
What are you calling out exactly? If the side receptacles were code complaint at the time of installation are you simply mentioning that there may be a safety issue if there are small children around? Around here were under the 2020 NEC so we’re installing these in the side below the countertop receptacles in new installations everyday because they’re still required by the electrical code.
2 Likes
2023 NEC updated that rule. Speaking of new construction. But if installed it has to be noted deficient for safety. A pop up or if island has back splash usually installed in those areas if new construction. We in Texas. We under ASHI. and TREC adopted that rule last year
Got it, so new construction in an area that has adopted the 2023 NEC. For areas on earlier code cycles prior to the adoption of the 2023 the side receptacles are still required.
3 Likes
Way I understand. Some places here, especially in rural areas still under 2012 IRC. And it don’t follow unless somebody makes a stink about it. We here in Texas under 2018 IRC. But they try to hang us up on new stuff they adopt.So it throws a wrench in the works.
We fixing to relocate to Arizona. Unfortunately, they big on ANSI too. Why I am with Internachi? To make me a better inspector.
ChristheRooferUSA
2 Likes
6 one way, half dozen the other. Each has more in depth learning objectives. It’s all about making us excell in our trade.
ChristheRooferUSA
1 Like
What rule did TREC adopt last year?
In Texas the State licensing board stipulates that licensed Electricians will perform all work to the NEC version adopted by the State. Currently that is the 2023 NEC version. The AHJ’s can adopt and inspect by any version they want but the Electricians must follow their licensing laws/rules when performing work.
1 Like
We agree that if under the 2023 NEC the side receptacles are no longer permitted. But you did state that there were older before code applications does that mean prior to the adaption of the 2023 version of the NEC, so how are those being called out?
Around these here backwoods, island side outlets done before the code change was implemented, are “grandfathered.” I don’t get into discussions about it with clients. Personally, why have an island if you can’t use electric appliances on it? I would definitely want power so I would want a pop-up outlet or some other method of receptacle, but maybe that’s me.
So as a thought exercise, I went to AI…
List every reported instance of when a child has pulled an appliance off of a kitchen island by the electrical cord?
No public record lists every reported instance of a child pulling an appliance off a kitchen island by its electrical cord, and available data does not track incidents at that level of detail. Injury databases, news archives, and safety reports categorize cases by product type (e.g., “small kitchen appliance,” “slow cooker,” “coffee maker”) or injury mechanism (e.g., “tip‑over,” “burns,” “scalds”), but they do not isolate the specific scenario of “child pulls appliance off island by cord.”
That said, one documented case surfaced in news reporting:
Documented individual case
• Oklahoma, 2018 — Slow cooker pulled off kitchen island
A 1‑year‑old girl in a walker pulled a slow cooker off a kitchen island, spilling hot contents and causing second‑degree burns.
This is the only clearly documented case matching your scenario closely enough to be identifiable in public reporting.
Why a complete list does not exist
Several structural issues prevent a comprehensive accounting:
• Injury databases don’t track this mechanism
Systems like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s NEISS record injuries by product category and general cause (e.g., “tip‑over,” “scald”), not by detailed narrative such as “pulled by cord from island.”
• Most incidents never reach news coverage
Only severe or unusual cases are reported publicly. Minor injuries or near‑misses are almost never documented.
• Medical reports rarely include appliance‑specific narratives
Emergency‑room data focuses on injury type (burn, laceration, head injury), not the exact chain of events.
• No agency aggregates “cord‑pull” incidents
Even tip‑over reports, which include appliances, do not break out cord‑related pulls.
What can be inferred from broader categories
While not specific to your scenario, related data shows:
• Children under 5 are disproportionately involved in tip‑over and scald injuries.
• Small kitchen appliances (slow cookers, coffee makers, kettles) are common sources of burns and falling‑object injuries, but the mechanism is usually summarized generically (e.g., “child pulled item off counter”).
These patterns suggest that cord‑pull incidents are plausible and likely underreported, but not systematically tracked.
3 Likes
To who are you directing your question?
Sorry, somehow I got the incorrect quote in that post. I was referring to Christopher’s post.
Got it.
Hopefully Christopher will come back and answer your question and mine that I will repeat here for him.
I’m sure he will. It’s an interesting topic because there is a great deal of confusion as to what’s a defect and what isn’t a defect. He’s stated that he’s involved with new construction under the 2023 NEC. That’s simple no receptacles on the side are permitted as they were in prior code cycles.
If you inspected a new home here in NJ the side receptacles are required so calling them out as a defect would be incorrect. If they were not installed as required by the 2020 NEC that would be a defect.
Do you, your wife, or your children Bake? (Scratch) Bakers typically use very few electrical appliances. These people want/need an ‘island’ for the primary purpose of having room to (hand) mix ingredients and knead and roll out crusts and doughs, such as pie crust, cinnamon rolls, breads, pizza crusts, cookies, decorating cakes, etc. The few (electrical) appliances they require are easily used on the primary countertops.
Cooks also prefer islands to assemble their meals, such as Roasts, Turkeys and Chickens. Consider how much room is needed for Thanksgiving and Christmas, not to mention Halloween (Pumpkin carving) and Easter (Egg dying) activities with the kids!
Uh…yeah. My current kitchen does not have an island. My pre-divorce kitchen had a large island in a large kitchen and we had plug-in appliances on the island that we used daily.
2 Likes
Well that explains the divorce thing! 
2 Likes