The third prong on a plug provides a path to ground for electricity that is straying or leaking from a product. This helps protect the equipment and can help prevent electric shock. Consumers should never remove or bend the third prong to fit a two-slot outlet. Use an adapter or find an appropriate three-slot outlet. Note that GFCIs are required in some places, recommended in others, even if the product has a third wire to ground it. Under some conditions, a shock hazard could still exist even if a product has a grounding wire.
