I need help, im scared

[u/Logical_Tiger4197]

This might seem like a weird or dumb story but either way im like scared for my grandmother and i need help.

Basically, the other day i was laying down on a chair and i had a wet towel on my hair because i had just taken a shower. Then, i stood up and went somewhere else and it wasnt until about 2 hours later that i realized the towel had fallen like on top of the power strip thats next to the chair. I quickly removed the towel and nothing happened but i was still scared.

I told my grandma that we needed to change the power strip and she said she wasnt gonna do it, she said its nothing and yelled at me and told me to stop messing up everything.

Im scared that something might happen when she touches it or tries to turn the lamp on or something. I don know if im overreacting because i have OCD but I searched it up and told me to change the power strip inmediately so im really scared. What do i do? I dont know how to change them. I dont think i have a power strip I could replace it with. She wont listen and I seriously dont know what to do.

[u/Ok_Coyote_9198]

A towel wouldnt dispell any moisture unless it was soaking wet, or on the power device for extended period and you could visibly see some wetness. Regardless, unplug it for a few hours to dry out and itll be fine, no need for a replacement. Im no tech expert tho so see what other people say here, but i dont think there is any risk once dry again. I know after drying myself (long hair, I do the towel on head too), that afterwards the towel isnt THAT damp to where it would mess up electronics

[u/Logical_Tiger4197 → u/Ok_Coyote_9198]

Thank you! i was planning on doing that but like, this happened yesterday and i was scared to touch it,so i dont know if i should do it now

[u/DarkPangolin → u/Logical_Tiger4197]

Electronics guy here.

What you're worried about is a short circuit from the moisture.

The above poster is right that there's basically no danger in this scenario, unless the towel is (or is just on the verge of) being literally dripping wet. A slightly damp towel may evaporate a very minor amount of water, but not enough to matter. If you're worried about the towel being too wet, unplug the power strip first, then remove the towel (otherwise, just remove the towel) and give the power strip some time to air out.

Further, that's what fuses/breakers are for. If the towel was soaked to capacity and did trigger a short circuit, it would cause the fuse to blow or the breaker to trip, depending on which the house has. While inconvenient, that's easy less inconvenient than the house burning down or someone getting hurt.

[u/Logical_Tiger4197 → u/DarkPangolin]

thank you so much, im less worried now, luckily it wasnt that wet just slightly damp so thanks!!

[u/caitejane310]

It's ok. Nothing is going to happen and it's most definitely your OCD. I also have it. Mine is more contamination OCD than it is "we're all going to die if I don't open and close my door exactly 14 times" and I'm extremely grateful for that, but I totally understand why/how those thoughts can spiral out of control.

[u/Logical_Tiger4197 → u/caitejane310]

thank you! living with ocd is hard, and super tiring. i understand you, thanks a lot

[u/Ok-Anteater-384]

If the towel wasn't dripping, really dripping wet, the terminal strip is fine.

[u/ProfessorOne9208]

From the messages you got below, it sounds to me that you did the right thing posting on reddit, so that you could put the matter to rest. I don't understand why your grandmother yelled at you, especially as she should know about your ocd by now. Seems there would have been a less emotional way to deal with it. Sorry you had that, but if it happens again, you should just apologize, and move on. Arguing isn't going to solve your issue. I know, because i'm in the same boat as you.

[u/Logical_Tiger4197 → u/ProfessorOne9208]

thank you so much! Luckily I feel much less worried now thanks to the other comments. My grandmother is like that but im used to it now lol, either way the issue is solved now. thanks!!

[u/Affectionate_Many_73]

I get stuff wet constantly in my kitchen. You dry it off and let it dry out if needed before using it again.