Abstract: A protective shield for attachment to an electrical control on an electric water heater having a heating element extending into the water heater tank below the control. The shield has an upper section attached to the control and a depending lower section that shields the electrical connections to the heating element. The lower section is hinged to the upper section for upward swinging movement to a raised position providing access to the heating element. Latches on the opposite sides of the shield releasably hold the lower section in its raised position. Attachment of the shield to the control is effected by upwardly opening shield sockets that receive downwardly extending projections on the control and by a shield top end loop received over a lug on the control.