British plugs and sockets are substantially safer than those of most other countries thanks to their three-pronged design. In addition to preventing accidental removal from the socket, the longer third prong serves to open access to the active part of the outlet only once the plug is inserted far enough into the socket so that the exposed connectors are safely out of reach, preventing accidental electrocution if someone were working around the plug—or, more likely, to stop some idiot/child sticking their fingers or a metal rod (e.g. a paperclip) into the outlet.