I was going to start this thread in the Woman's Forum, but I realize that many men cook, vacuum, sew, iron, and repair small appliances.
This thread is dedicated with the intention of preventing home or backyard hazards that could kill or maim pets, children, or adults.
Danger of using an iron around needles and pins.
On Monday, I was sewing a muumuu for my mom. To expedite the sewing of a hem, I was ironing and pinning the garment simultaneously when one of the sewing pins went airborne and lodged into the iron. This in turn caused a short, and with a blinding flash, the pin seemed to vaporize somewhere inside the iron. Needless to say, this accident had tripped the circuit breaker, so the fan, lights, and the air conditioner suddenly stopped. I immediately unplugged the iron, and then my husband reset the circuit breaker.
When I first saw the pin hovering near the iron, I was just about to grab it. Good thing I did not grab hold of it or I might have been electrocuted.
My husband and I had reluctantly considered cutting the cord and forking out another $100 to $150 for a new iron, but I had a dream on Wednesday that this iron, which we had only purchased on Dec. 1, 2011, was still in working condition. Thus, my husband was encouraged to open the iron (which is no longer on warranty). Once opened, he did not see any sign of the pin, but there was a small mark where it had entered the iron. He screwed the iron back together, tested it, and then plugged it in.
Miracle of miracles, this iron worked.
Note: these pins were being housed on one of those magnetic "pen pals." Obviously, they had become magnetized and that is why one became dislodged, flew into the air, and then wiggled inside the iron sole plate.
