Is Your Hair Dryer Dangerous?

The Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters" series set out to see whether the television and movie staple of death by dropping an appliance in the bathtub was credible. They found that, indeed, if an older appliance like an electric heater or hair dryer made without integral Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) is plugged into an ordinary circuit and dropped into water, enough current is produced to be lethal. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates there are 200 consumer product-related electrocution deaths each year.

One truth the "Mythbusters" experiment highlighted was the lifesaving nature of GFCIs, now required by code in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. When a GFCI senses current leakage, it interrupts the power flow.

Test GFCIs according to the manufacturer's instructions each month and after major electrical storms to make sure they are working properly. If your home was built before GFCIs were required, consider having an electrician add them to your bathroom, kitchen and outdoor outlets.

When working outside, always be aware of the location of power lines. Another common cause of electrocution accidents is holding an antenna, ladder or other metal item that comes in contact with a high-voltage power line. CPSC says that between 1990 and 1998, more than 300 people in the United States were electrocuted when an antenna or pole they were holding touched a power line and about 150 died when the metal ladders they were holding came in contact with lines.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical equipment was the third leading cause of home fires and the second leading cause of fire deaths in the United States between 1994 and 1998.

To keep you and your family safe:

• Always buy appliances and extension cords that have been rated by independent laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories.
• Avoid overloading outlets.
• If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have them checked by an electrician.
• Make sure cords are in good condition. Never nail or staple cords. Do not place cords under rugs or furniture.
• If possible, avoid using extension cords or use them only on a temporary basis. Use an extension cord with a higher rating than the appliance you're using it for.
• Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) of a three-prong plug to make it fit a two-prong outlet.
• Don't use higher-wattage bulbs than recommended by the manufacturer in lamps and ceiling fixtures.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials such as furniture, draperies and rugs. Don't use them in rooms where children are unsupervised. Unplug space heaters when you're not using them. Avoid using space heaters with extension cords; if you must use an extension cord, use a heavy-gauge cord.
• Most importantly, install smoke detectors and check or change the batteries regularly.

You can stay safe around electricity if you just use common sense and follow these recommendations.

For more information, see the following web sites:
Electrical Safety Foundation International - www.esfi.org
National Fire Protection Association - www.nfpa.org