Box-like Plugs Protect Against Shock
Some new appliances like hair dryers and small power tools some with large, boxy plugs – and they can be lifesavers.
The device can be either a built-in appliance leakage circuit interrupter or a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Although they work a bit differently, each will shut off the power to an appliance in an emergency – like if you drop your hair dryer into a full bathtub.
Still, the “interrupter” device isn’t a license to dive into the water to retrieve an appliance. It’s simply an added measure of protection. As always, water and electricity are a deadly combination.
What do you do if you drop an appliance in water?
- Shut off power to the circuit into which the appliance is plugged.
- Unplug the appliance.
- Drain the water and retrieve the appliance.
- Throw the appliance away.
If your bathroom appliances have interrupter-type plugs, you still need a GFCI on your outlet. GFCIs add extra-sensitive protection against electric shock and other hazards.