From what I've heard (UK), earth at the top is marginally safer as if anything falls on a partially unplugged plug (coin, hairpin, something metal), it will lan

From what I've heard (UK), earth at the top is marginally safer as if anything falls on a partially unplugged plug (coin, hairpin, something metal), it will land on the earth rather than directly on the powered pins. Of course, this is also resolved in the UK by insulating the lower portions of the powered pins, so whenever it is powered only insulated area will be visible outside of the socket, so it's something of a moot point.