Honestly, this should be a to do for any new homeowner - the process is easy and the tools are cheap! At bare minimum, everyone should own an outlet tester and just wander around plugging it into stuff.

You would be shocked (or, at least you will be if you don't test) to find out how many outlets have a loose/missing connection or are wired backwards. Takes 30 seconds to fix and could save you a lot of headache.

Done this twice now with both houses I have owned. The main reason, I absolutely hate attempting to plug something in only to have it fall out of the outlet. It annoys the shit out of me.

It's also not safe around kids or pets and it's a fire hazard.

I also like outlets on a switch to be upside down so you can visually see them easily.

Dad did that in the early 80s. Replaced the 2-prong outlets with 3-prong. Not sure if he was able to attach a ground. House was built in the late 50s, apparently grounding wasn't a thing. :)

To add to what you suggest: I make a habit of verifying and writing the breaker number on the back side of the faceplate each time I have to remove/replace one.

Always re-check before digging into the wiring obviously, but man I don't know how many trips up and down the basement stairs that has saved me over the years!

I need to do this again. I did the same thing when I moved into this house but somewhere along the line lost the map

Yup, it's an outside wall. That makes more sense about it being draft prevention! The outlet was loose so I just figured it was a way to get it supported. I'll be replacing every outlet in the house asap. The house was built in the 80's, so even if most outlets are fine, I'll sleep better knowing there's no 40+ year old outlets about to bite the dust.

I've also seen / been recommended to stuff steel wool into gaps and fill with that foam to keep rodents from gnawing through.

Yeah, it was a family who turned it into a rental when they moved out. Then it was eventually sold to an investment company who "remodeled". I think the company was just a regular house flipper who did their own work. It's weird, they did such a good job on a lot of things, and then the absolute worst job on random bits. I'm guessing they realized remodeling properly takes time and rushed the finishing touches to just get it sold. Luckily they left all of the supplies to fix what they messed up haha.

I'm too lazy for all that. I pop the cover with a power screwdriver. Masking tape's expensive these days!

don't worry. you'll find something way worse.

four things I have learned over my time as a homeowner in the US.

1. the previous owners were fucking idiots
2. the previous owners hired fucking idiots
3. craftsmen don't exist anymore and everyone provides quick dirty solutions
4. if you want something done right, do it yourself

You have to think of it as opportunity! Most people should be able to safely replace an outlet. This just prioritizes it.

You get something modern, perhaps “tamper-resistant” if you plan on kids, perhaps with chargers where convenient, perhaps “smart”, perhaps with nightlights where convenient

Its actually a frame for a screwless wall plate! The plate just snaps onto the clear bit.