I was taught in my young age (1980s-1990s) not to operate light switches (or anything electrical) barefoot. Is this advice still relevant in 2021 (in a modern house in Western Europe with grounding, just to have a reference)?
Or does it no longer apply to modern wiring and light switches?
Best Answer
I don't think the advice was particularly salient in the 80's or even decades before. I think it was based on some irrational fear &/or misconception.
Don't use light switches with wet hands - which is why bathrooms have pull-switches. That makes sense, but to extrapolate that to any & all light switches for fear they're badly wired, unearthed & the shoes will stop you becoming the route to earth… sorry, that's irrational fear.
It belongs in the same category as always making sure socket switches are off if nothing is plugged in, which still sees some adherents even in the UK, where you'd need a slim screwdriver to even open the socket gates be able to poke something into one.