Abstract: An apparatus for substantially minimizing injury and hazards in using hand-held hair styling appliances comprises a spring mechanism disposed between opposing handles of a hand-held hair styling appliance, a normally-open power activation switch recessed within an interior surface of a first handle of the hand-held hair styling appliance, this switch being disposed in a circuit for connecting electric power supply to heating elements of a rapid-heating hand-held hair styling appliance, and a substantially rigid pin protruding from an interior surface of a second handle of the hand-held hair styling appliance, this rigid pin positioned opposing and mating with the power switch such as to create heating only when the handles are drawn together into the use position.