Abstract: An electrical hair dryer or like appliance has insulated power supply conductors, heating element, motor and fan, overload protection, thermal cutoffs, switches and controls, and the necessary internal wiring and thermal and electrical insulation confined in a hand-held housing having body and handle portions. The appliance has a pair of switches, both enclosed in the handle portion of the housing, for coupling power lines from an electrical source to the conductors to operate the appliance, which switches are sealed against water entry. The appliance also has an actuator external of the seal requiring continuous manual pressure to hold the switches in their closed position. When the pressure is released, for example if the appliance is dropped, the switches are open thereby avoiding risk of electric shock if, for example, the appliance, when connected to the supply, is immersed in water.