Here's the lowdown on how a GFCI works according to expert

Dear Heloise: A recent hint from a Heloise reader suggested that a ground-fault circuit-interrupter could prevent a fire. The reader was concerned that her slow cooker, when left unattended for many hours, could be a safety hazard. She indicated that her husband replaced the outlet used for the slow cooker with a GFCI-type outlet, thinking that it would trip immediately if the slow cooker shorted out. Although this is a common belief, it is not what a GFCI will do. A GFCI is designed to protect a person from an electrical shock and even electrocution.
National electrical codes, building officials and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. strongly recommend their use. If there is a ground fault in the slow cooker, which would be very unusual, and the user touches it and some grounded metal, such as a refrigerator or a water faucet, or if the slow cooker falls into a sinkful of water, the GFCI will turn off the power in microseconds.
Statistics covering slow cookers show that fires are not common. However, it is always recommended that consumers be sure that their slow cooker has a UL Mark showing that the manufacturer had samples tested to the rigorous safety standards set by UL.
Also, it is always a good idea to keep combustibles away from any appliance. Never have cookbooks, bread wrappers or other paper products close to the slow cooker. Keep the slow cooker out in the open on your counter rather than in a corner or under cupboards.
Finally, be sure that fuses in older homes or circuit breakers are rated properly, and investigate further if they trip frequently. John Drengenberg, consumer-affairs manager and electrical engineer, Underwriters Laboratories, Northbrook, Ill.
Thank you for updating us about a GFCI and exactly what it will and will not do. You were also an informative guest on my radio show, and when I'm back on the air, you'll be the first one I call. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I always check my credit-card receipts to be sure the entire number isn't printed on them. Most of the time, the only part printed is the last four numbers, but the other day I looked at one and the only numbers that were not on the receipt were the last four numbers. What if I had lost or thrown away several receipts at one time -- a crook would have everything he needed to cause me a world of trouble. Susan Sitterle, San Antonio
Dear Heloise: When it was my first day ever as a secretary and I was terrible with company contact information, I dealt with this by putting my employer's business card in the corner of a framed photo on my desk. That way, I didn't have to scrounge through notes while on the phone, and information didn't get lost in the shuffle. Megan, via e-mail
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
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