What safety steps should you take when using hot equipment (dryers, irons) near live electricity?

• A. Use water to cool equipment.
• B. Use properly grounded equipment, inspect cords, keep away from water, and unplug when not in use; never leave running unattended.
• C. Unplug when not in use; inspect cords; keep away from water; never leave running unattended.
• D. Allow equipment to run unattended occasionally.

Answer: (B)

Electrical safety around hot grooming tools focuses on preventing shock, burns, and fire. The best safety steps are to use properly grounded equipment, inspect cords for wear, keep the tools away from water, unplug the tool when not in use, and never leave a hot tool running unattended. Grounding provides a safe path for any fault current so a person isn’t shocked if the insulation fails. Inspecting cords helps catch frayed insulation or exposed conductors before they can cause shocks or fires. Keeping equipment away from water reduces the chance of current traveling through wet skin or spills creating a short. Unplugging when not in use cuts power completely and helps prevent overheating or accidental activation. Never leaving hot equipment unattended avoids heat buildup and potential ignition if something malfunctions. The other choices are not as safe because they either propose cooling with water, which is dangerous, or omit essential protections like grounding or unplugging, or suggest leaving the tool running.