Abstract: A hair dryer that includes a case having a handle and a barrel, and a fan positioned in the barrel and coupled to an electric motor for blowing hair through the barrel. An electrical resistance heating element is disposed in the barrel for generating heat to dry hair, and an electrical cord extends from the handle and terminates in a plug adapted to be removably received in a utility outlet for supplying power to the hair dryer. An operator switch is carried by the handle and connected in series with at least the electric motor across the power lines of the cord. An audible alarm is connected across the switch and in series with the motor across the power conductors of the plug and cord, such that placement of the switch in an open condition, with the plug inserted in a utility outlet, results in current flow through the alarm device and generation of an audible alarm signal.