According to the info I've read, approximately 24,000 ER visits for electric shock/burn injuries occur each year from receptacles being probed, poked or similarly prodded with metallic objects.
Most of these injuries are in children less than 4 years old. I didn't see any statistics on fatalities. Given the number of children in close proximity to electrical outlets, this is a pretty small number, but TR receptacles will lower it considerably (or so the thinking goes).
The TR safety curtain can be defeated, but not without some foresight and planning on the child or person who is attempting to do so. Sure, some kids will probably get shocked from a TR receptacle they have succeeded in defeating, but the toddlers and young children who try to stick a key or bobby pin in a hot socket will hopefully be saved from a shock or burn. Seems like a reasonable compromise to me.
