Aluminum wiring can pose a significant fire risk because it tends to expand, contract, and overheat, leading to failing connections and splices. If your home has aluminum wiring, it doesn't always require a complete replacement, but you must take safety precautions. The first step is to hire a licensed electrician to conduct a thorough inspection. Based on their findings, you have several options:

• Full Replacement: The safest but most expensive solution is to replace all aluminum wiring with copper.

• Copper Pigtailing: A more budget-friendly option, suitable for certain homes, involves adding a short section of copper wire to the end of each aluminum wire at connection points.

• Other Safety Upgrades: Your electrician may also recommend installing aluminum-compatible outlets and applying an anti-oxidant paste to connections to prevent corrosion.

Consulting a professional will help you determine the best course of action to ensure your home's wiring meets current safety standards.

Yes, tamper-resistant outlets are designed to be safe for use in homes with children. They feature a spring-loaded shutter that blocks the electrical slots when not in use, which helps protect children from electric shock if they try to insert an object. While they are the safest option available and highly effective, it's important to note that few things are truly 'childproof.' Children may still try to imitate adults by inserting a plug. For this reason, it's best to use tamper-resistant outlets over less effective solutions like plastic covers, which can be removed or pose a choking hazard. Always supervise young children around any electrical outlets or devices.

You should never use a plug with burn marks because it can cause a fire or even an electrical shock. The burn marks could be caused by a dangerous underlying electrical problem, so it’s important to call a qualified electrician right away. 

Qualified, licensed electricians will charge from $50 to $100 per hour. The cost to hire an electrician for emergency visits may range from $100 to $200 per hour because this urgent service usually takes place during off hours and may require an electrician to leave or reschedule jobs they’re currently working on. Scheduling work on holidays or during periods of high customer demand, like after a major storm, will also lead to higher rates or extra fees.