On UK plugs at least, there are shutters and you need to insert something into the earth pin slot before they will allow you to access the live/neutral pins. On

On UK plugs at least, there are shutters and you need to insert something into the earth pin slot before they will allow you to access the live/neutral pins. On better sockets, the shutters then need simultaneous pressure on both live/neutral to completely release. The actual contacts in the socket are recessed too. UK plugs and sockets are really, really, really safe. Except to stand on.