We've chosen to extract the main safety points from a couple of sites to give a quick overview of safety in electro-play. We recommend that you visit both sites to get a fuller picture of Electro-play and the toys available.
ABOUT SAFETY
Visit : E-Play
Six basic rules
No electricity above the waist
No electricity on broken skin
No electricity on or near eyes, ears, or mouth
No electricity on or near piercings
No electricity with anyone who has, or has ever had, a heart condition, or who has a pacemaker
No electricity with anyone who has ever been non-consensually tortured with electricity.
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VIOLET WANDS
Visit : Eclectic Electric
*Test the intensity setting on yourself first
*Do not use near eyes
*Remove contact lenses and glasses so that charge does not arc to them if you will be using the wand near the face
*Remember that the violet ray will arc to metal. While that is often the desired effect, such as when used with body piercings, when used at its highest setting for a period of time it may cause surface burns to the skin where metal conducts the charge.
*Do not use on anyone with a history of heart disease or nerve damage. Even though violet wands use static small particle electricity, it might still be possible for static electricity to disrupt electrical impulses of the heart that are already unstable.
*Like all electrical devices, do not use near water
*If you are accustomed to new manufactured wands, remember that vintage wands are often more powerful. Dampen your play with a vintage wand until you are comfortable with the increased output.
*Where it is necessary to use an extension cord, just make sure it is heavier than the wand electrical supply cord and no longer than needed.
*As with all electrical toys, it is a good idea not to cross the baseline of the body. Work on one side of the body at a time, especially when using a body contact probe. Or use only one hand at a time on your subject. While this is far less vital with violet wand electricity, it is still a good habit to maintain.
*The metal rod attachment should be used with caution. Some wands have a spark gap installed into their components. This acts as the primary safety feature. The glass electrodes also supply a gap between the wand and the final electrical output which serves as a secondary safety feature of the wand. If you are going to use the metal rod for direct contact, you should enhance the primary safety feature of the internal spark-gap by purchasing an "Isolation Transformer" from a hardware/electrical supply store. That way, there will be NO possibility of the slight chance of direct connection of the incoming current to its output to the wand, in the event both coils and the safety features might become compromised.
*Don't use the wand too long on any one area. Redness (just like any good flogging) is common and fades in a few days, but overuse on one area can cause what is essentially a sunburn.
*The sparks from a violet wand will ignite flammable liquids. In some cases that could be the desired effect, as in violet wand fireplay.
*Still concerned? You can further assure your safety by using a "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter." These can be purchased inexpensively at a hardware store or on our site, plug directly between your wand and the wall, and are very portable due to their small size. For the convenience of our customers, we offer them on this site.
*While some new wands are able to run for indefinite periods of time, we are of the opinion that no person should be zapped with electricity for more than 15 continuous minutes at a single time, until it is known how they are affected
*Some new violet wands are approved for use on the human body by the FDA while others are not. Those approved by the FDA for use on the human body may be used above the waist, even on the head and face. In our listings, Eclectic Electric will advise if a particular wand should be restricted to use below the waist.
*An extended numbness or over-excitation of the nerves may occur with some people. If someone experiences numbness or tingling in areas on which the violet wand was used, which does not go away within 1-2 days, they should not have the wand used on them again. This does not include normal soreness or sensitivity.
*To play the safest, keep the charge away from -unhealed- breaks in skin. This is because VW electricity travels on the surface of the skin, and it is better to keep it there rather than give it entry into blood vessels and muscle tissue. If you want to play with temporary (unhealed) piercings, remember that violet wand electricity will then be permitted into the body to a depth of a few millimeters.
*We now know that violet wand electricity does enter the body, and though research is ongoing, little is known about how it travels. Any unusual or unexpected occurrence should be cause to cease play.
*Understand your level of play. Electrical play is edge play, and there are violetwand techniques that carry more risk than others. Opinions on acceptable risk also vary due to experience, knowledge and your partner.
*A little common sense goes a long way, and as with all toys, its important to educate yourself in their use, problems and effects.
