# No outlet in bathroom... would this hack be suicide? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 27, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395 "2017-04-27T21:27:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/1 "2017-04-27T21:27:03Z")
I just moved into a new apartment and there’s not a single outlet that I can see in the bathroom. However, somebody seems to have jury-rigged the bathroom [vanity mirror with three light sockets](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=951&q=lighted+vanity&=&oq=&gs_l=) that are always hot. There’s no switch for it, you just have to screw the bulbs in or out to toggle them. Anyway, I’m just looking for a place to charge my electric toothbrush and a shaver. Would it be suicide to use one of these [light bulb socket to 2-prong adapters](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NALZ7WK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)? There’s no GFCI or anything of the sort, and the house has all sorts of other old outlets, so I don’t think there’s any protection at all… Fortunately, the bathtub is a little bit away from the outlets, so it’s unlikely that anything will fall in. The sockets would be right over the sink, however. Seems like an easy way to get power in there for $10. Relatively safe or stay far away? ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/2 "2017-04-27T21:43:42Z")
I distrust any electric appliance without an off switch. As for the rest get an electrician in or live without. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/3 "2017-04-27T21:46:34Z")
That’s a pretty standard old-bathroom hack. Still, I don’t like non-GFCI outlets in the bathroom, and they are now required by law. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/4 "2017-04-27T21:47:04Z")
Stay far away. No ground, no GFCI, and you don’t even know if the polarity is right. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/5 "2017-04-27T22:42:08Z")
I think you’d be fine with what you plan to do. But I’d get one like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Onite-2-Pack-Standard-Holder-Adapter/dp/B01EHAE54A/ref=pd_sbs_60_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01EHAE54A&pd_rd_r=CECBVPH7VM8F55CC8SGY&pd_rd_w=sqBbi&pd_rd_wg=MBMES&psc=1&refRID=CECBVPH7VM8F55CC8SGY), instead. Just don’t try to reach for either item while you’re in the tub. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/6 "2017-04-27T22:51:25Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Stay far away. No ground, no GFCI, and you don’t even know if the polarity is right. Jeeze Louise, to recharge a battery operated shaver? I think he’ll be fine. Really. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/7 "2017-04-27T23:38:47Z")
I can usually live with one thing being wrong (I had an inspector check all of my DIY electrical work, said it was great except two outlets had reversed polarity, I was going to leave them but he switched the wires) with electrical, like polarity being reversed, but using those things, which are hack/workaround, on top of it being on a non-gfci circuit, AND being in the bathroom, with no switch… My vote is a big “Hell No” Then again, my paranoia make me biased. I’m sure you will be fine, but thats just a lot of risks stacked upon each other. Get an electrician to be on the safe® side. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/8 "2017-04-27T23:39:21Z")
From what the OP says I think they do have cause to worry a bit … however the landlord presumably checked it out and thought it safe … and this would be the landlord’s liability if something bad did happen … There is electricity piped into the bathroom … **Evan Drake’s** suggestion of getting an electrician in there won’t be as expensive as one might think … sounds like a quick easy job to replace the vanity with something UL listed … and you will be doing your new landlord a favor … so ask him if you can send him the bill … ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/9 "2017-04-27T23:42:35Z")
Yeah, or have him knock the cost off the rent, you’ll break even and have an outlet to use for your shaver! Everyone wins! ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/10 "2017-04-27T23:44:21Z")
> [@Common\_Tater](#): > > Jeeze Louise, to recharge a battery operated shaver? I think he’ll be fine. Really. I agree that it’s quite likely he won’t die. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/11 "2017-04-27T23:54:06Z")
If you do buy those converters, get them from a more reputable brand and UL certified. Those Leviton beige ones look promising, and safer/durable. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/12 "2017-04-28T00:26:17Z")
From the old times I have seen small clothing irons with ( easily frayed ) twined cords that went up to ceiling light sockets. 1950s probably. For people that liked to live life on the edge. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/13 "2017-04-28T01:23:13Z")
I would install pull-chain gizmos similar to the one **ChefGuy** suggested, just to have control over the bulbs. If the gizmos came with electrical outlets, I would [cover them up](https://www.amazon.com/KidCo-Electrical-Outlet-Caps-Clear/dp/B00018XCK6/), and charge the razor and toothbrush in another room (I charge mine in the bedroom). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/14 "2017-04-28T02:15:22Z")
Given the length of cord on your device, and the location of these sockets, would it be possible for the device to fall into a sink/toilet/tub while still plugged in? If not, then that mitigates most of the risk of it being in the bathroom. That said, there are other potential problems with using a socket as an outlet. It’s fine if everything was installed correctly, but a professional would have just put in an actual outlet, which means that what you have was done by an amateur, and you never know what kind of amateur-installed wiring you’re going to find. ---
**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/15 "2017-04-28T03:53:24Z")
Waitaminute - you have a vanity in the bathroom with nonswitched lights that you turn on and off by screwing the bulbs in and out, and you’re worried about getting electrocuted by a toothbrush charger? What about the electrical abortion that’s already there waiting to kill you when you? Are there switched lights somewhere else in the bathroom? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/16 "2017-04-28T10:41:54Z")
I’d be far more concerned about whether the line is hooked up to a fuse or a circuit breaker. It sounds unlikely. The whole point of those is that overloading a wire with more electricity than it can handle will cause it to heat up and possibly melt/spark starting a fire inside the wall. Those fires spread between floors before you even know about them. There’s a good chance you’ll figure out what killed you before you die of smoke inhalation, but not much chance to make it out of the house. Don’t mess around with jury-rigged electrics. Make the landlord install safe lighting and wiring. Better yet, offer to do it as suggested above, so you know that it is done correctly this time. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/17 "2017-04-28T11:03:08Z")
You’ll be fine if you don’t plug a toaster into it and then stick a knife in the toaster. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/18 "2017-04-28T11:22:05Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > I can usually live with one thing being wrong (I had an inspector check all of my DIY electrical work, **said it was great except two outlets had reversed polarity, I was going to leave them but he switched the wires** ) with electrical, like polarity being reversed, but using those things, which are hack/workaround, on top of it being on a non-gfci circuit, AND being in the bathroom, with no switch… My vote is a big “Hell No” > > Then again, my paranoia make me biased. I’m sure you will be fine, but thats just a lot of risks stacked upon each other. Get an electrician to be on the safe(r) side. What!? I’m sorry but if you don’t understand polarity, how to install and check for it, please do not ever do electrical yourself. As per the OP, there are a couple other questions you need to ask. What type of service panel is in the apartment and does it have GFCI breakers? Is it the wiring grounded and light fixture grounded? Is the outlet more than 3 feet from a water source? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/19 "2017-04-28T13:47:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > But I’d get one like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Onite-2-Pack-Standard-Holder-Adapter/dp/B01EHAE54A/ref=pd_sbs_60_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01EHAE54A&pd_rd_r=CECBVPH7VM8F55CC8SGY&pd_rd_w=sqBbi&pd_rd_wg=MBMES&psc=1&refRID=CECBVPH7VM8F55CC8SGY), instead. I did not realized that they still made those. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/20 "2017-04-28T15:02:32Z")
Do you keep an oven mitt in the bathroom to unscrew the bulbs to turn off the lights when you’re ready to go to bed? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395.md?page=2)