Steve,
hmmm, so where would mama do her thing?
Well, according to our IEE, any place but the bathroom!
I had a feeling at least one of you would pick up on the hairdryer/bathroom angle, especially as there's been much talk re 1875W units, dedicated bath circuits etc.
I'm not sure when the "no sockets in a bathroom" rule was introduced, but it's there in the 1955 regulations, so it's a good while.
Of course it is possible to find bathrooms with receptacles installed against the regs., but for everybody else they either use the hair-dryer in a bedroom, or run an extension cord into bathroom.
So long as there is suitable care, such as the receptacle located away from the tub, provided with GFI protection, etc., then I think it SHOULD be allowed.
Oh, and with reference to that elephant, I guess this U.S. road sign really means "Caution: Democrats ahead!"
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-15-2002).]