Proximity safety switch suitable for use in a hair dryer for disabling operation

A safety system suitable for use in a hand-held appliance, said system comprising:

• a sensor integral to said hand-held appliance for detecting presence of an externally-provided magnetic field;
• and
• control and switch circuitry comprising a first power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance for alternatively supplying or removing power from at least a second power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance;
• wherein said sensor is coupled to said control circuitry and in response to the absence of a detected externally-provided magnetic field, said control and switch circuitry promptly removes power from said second power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance.

A safety system suitable for use in an appliance configured to be hand-held by a user, said system comprising:

• a sensor for detecting presence of a user;
• control and switch circuitry comprising a first power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance for alternatively supplying power to or removing power from at least a second power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance;
• a user actuatable switch for activating said control and switch circuitry to enable said circuitry to supply power to said at least second power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance;
• and herein
• said sensor is coupled to said control circuitry and in response to said sensor failing to detect the user, said control and switch circuitry promptly removes power from said second power consuming portion of said hand-held appliance.