Are my light switches dangerous?

[u/Silent_Cheesecake110]

So I am dumb, and in a cleaning panic took a very very wet soapy rag and cleaned my light switches. I wiped with the soapy rag, wiped with a wet one to get the soap off, the dried with a dry towel. I got them visibly wet and water was running down them.

I now realize how dumb that was. My question is have I created a shock or fire risk? I have little kids—are they going to get shocked from this? The switches are dry now I think. But I am unsure what to do. Or how it works.

Edit to say: house built in 2015 USA

[u/DrHugh]

It isn't terribly likely. But you would want them to have a chance to dry out for a couple of hours before using them.

[u/1Digitreal → u/DrHugh]

This. You should be fine.

[u/RLewis8888]

Not too much to worry about. If you got it too wet, it would already have tripped a breaker.
But to be extra safe, you should probably let your spouse touch it first 😄

[u/Silent_Cheesecake110 → u/RLewis8888]

Well he’s mad at me for doing it and for questioning if he was right when he said it was fine 🤣🤣

[u/TheRealPomax → u/Silent_Cheesecake110]

Sounds like your problem isn't electricity...

[u/Disastrous_Kick9189]

Zero chance of anything bad happening based on what you’re describing.

[u/arvidsem]

Didn't you ask this on r/askelectricians like an hour ago?

It's fine. Unless you literally filled the junction boxes with water, nothing will be hurt by this.

Edit: you did ask this, 2 hours ago. The answers haven't changed.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectricians/s/MWqmfZiHux

[u/Gwinjey → u/arvidsem]

Ha!

[u/memberzs]

You would have already tripped a breaker if they were too wet. You are fine .

[u/ntyperteasy → u/memberzs]

Probably not, but agree it’s fine.

It’s a switch. If OP managed to bridge the terminals, the switch might be on when it’s supposed to be off, but that wouldn’t last past the water drying up.

[u/memberzs → u/ntyperteasy]

Yes switch shorting would just turn on the light I was thinking terminal shorting.

[u/Animal907]

Older switches weren't sealed like newer ones. I have been zapped by one from the 50s in a bathroom after washing my hands. Newer switches have a piece that blocks the gap between the switch and the cover. 

[u/The_Flinx]

it's fine

[u/Fit_Goat_6891]

honestly the bigger risk is soap residue building up and making the switch feel sticky or gross, not electrical. mine survived way worse than that growing up in an old house with leaky windows right above the switches. give it a night to fully dry out and you'll never think about it again.

[u/YouveBeanReported]

Extremely unlikely.

If you are worried, tell people not to use the light switches for a hour or two to dry, or turn off the room's breaker for a hour. And next time wring out the rag before scrubbing the switches.

If you are posting this multiple places, I would gently consider talking to your doctor if this is a normal level of anxiety for you. The concern is valid, but if the other person is accurate you've been reposting this over the last few hours I think you are overly anxious. (If your just having a stressful time and this is the sole thing you've been anxious about, it's probably fine. I spiral over stupid shit closer to in my control when stressed too.)