Maybe some common sense would help. It does not take an EE to replace an outlet properly. Pay attention and put things back the way one finds them (assuming it was correct when approached). Unfortunately, most of the remaining common sense is either educated, trained, or litigated out of the populace. (sigh)
My own kids have been taught about technical things while still sitting on my knee. So they can now troubleshoot and swap circuit boards in a computer or change out the starter on their cars. But the college students at the conservatory where I teach seemed to have missed this upbringing and have a lot of trouble with some of the simplest things such as setting a DMM to read AC volts. But they have no trouble running and bragging about their iPhone apps.
I have a 90-minute NoShockZone seminar I do at Recreational Vehicle shows where I define volts, amps and watts, then demonstrate how to safely meter and plug into a campsite power pedestal and check thier RVs for a hot-skin shock condition. I've had 80 year-old grandmothers come up to me after the presentation and tell me the now understand electricity, when they've struggled with the concept their entire lives. RV owners have to worry about this more than most since every time they plug into a new power source, the voltage can be too high or too low, and sometimes the ground is disconnected at the campsite pedestal outlet. Sadly, there's nothing in the NEC that requires any sort of periodic testing of power outlets at campgrounds and boat docks. So campers need a basic understanding of what electricity is and when to get worried (any kind of electrical shock).
I've found that many (most?) consumers believe that since electricity is invisible that it's too complicated to understand. But a little
common sense about electricity goes a long way towards electrical safety. Unfortunately, most schools don't teach common sense, only how to pass standardized tests. So if you do understand electricity, then I challenge each of you to mentor someone (a young sound tech or maybe your own kid) about how cool electricity is. This can be as simple as an LED bulb and a battery to discuss voltage and current flow, or as complicated as building a real circuit. FYI: I see that Heathkit may once again be offering their great projects (which I built as a kid) and Radio Shack has a great DIY electrical program with all sorts of cool kits. To me, that's more important than making sure a kid has the latest smartphone or tablet.
