The National Electrical Code requires that all electrical outlets in the kitchen and bathroom of a house have ground fault circuit interrupter devices to reduce the danger of a deadly shock from a faulty plug-in cord or appliance. These GFCI devices are also required in all the wet areas of a house like an unfinished basement, laundry room, garage, outdoor areas or wherever there's construction activity. The device measures outgoing and returning current and shuts off the power if it detects a possible dangerous current imbalance. It has a test button that, when it is pushed in, switches off the power to the outlet and any receptacles connected to it.

It is not difficult to replace a standard receptacle with a GFCI and it's a good first-time electrical project for a home handyman. The device is inexpensive and the tools are basic ones you'll use time and again. An electrician will charge $71 to install a GFCI, but you can buy the device for $16 and complete the job in less than an hour. You'll need a screwdriver, a wire cutting and stripping tool and an inexpensive voltage tester.

The job involves turning off the power at the main circuit panel, removing the old device by disconnecting and cutting the wires, installing the new GFCI, reattaching the wires to the terminals, testing the device and finally turning the power back on.

Safety tip: Before doing any electrical work, turn off the power at the main panel.