RCDs have been mandatory on socket outlets here since 1980, however it doesn't mean that every house has been rewired since 1980. Many people would have had them optionally installed in the 1970s too, but they weren't compulsary.
However, that being said, it's still not a bad thing to mention the plug-in variety as there are still some installations that predate RCDs.
As for bathrooms, there was no requirement to do anything with lighting except for it to meet certain IP requirements to prevent water ingress and not to be located anywhere near the bath/shower. Also, light switches etc have to go outside or be operated by a pull cord. Basically, you had to design the bathroom in such a way that no electrical gear could be contacted while standing in the bath/shower etc.
The new regulations requring RCD protection on all circuits (lights, fans etc) in bathrooms takes into account the fact that there are fancier light fittings, more over the sink lighting that doesn't simply mean an ugly plastic shaver socket/light, electrically heated towel rails etc etc.
As for putting foil on the grill .. yeah that is a little stupid in my opinion. I have never seen a grill with exposed terminals, in fact, as far as I'm aware having a design like that would violate all of our electrical safety standards. It certainly wouldn't be CE complient.
The major risk with a grill pan covered in foil is fire, not electrocution. There's a serious risk that the grease on the foil can either start smoking very heavily or go up into flames, particularly if you're cooking something rather greasy.
I don't understand why some of these safety edicts continue to persist. Perhaps it was relevant in 1927
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A more useful message would be please don't stick forks/knives down your toaster's slots!
In Ireland, according to the ETCI safety stats, almost all electrocutions (and there aren't very many) were caused by direct contact with overhead cables or PoCo plant. Most of which occured on farms or construction sites. Accidents involving domestic appliances or wiring seem to be pretty rare. Where accidents have happened in the home, they seem to be mostly due to faulty DIY wiring rather than actual misuse of appliances.
http://www.etci.ie/fatalfacts/index.php?Page=1 (details all electrical fatalities in Ireland over the past few years)
In a population of 4.2 million it's a pretty unlikely way to meet your end to be quite honest.
The only one that comes under the misuse category is where a kid put a nail into the socket of an extension reel. Clearly it either had damaged shuttering / he bypassed the shuttering.
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 08-07-2006).]