We came perilously close to losing our daughter when the wire going through a smoothing iron's springy wire tensioner rubbed through and touched the metal spring coil. The iron was in those days, earthed.
Worst scenario: one hand on the earthed iron, and one on the springy thing. Her worst problem was the muscle strain from being thrown backwards.
I was one of the first folk I know of to protect my home with an RCCB (RCD OR RCB) It worked well.
I have a box of in-line computer lead breakers with 10mm sensitivity. Job lot from Bull Electrical on the south coast. "We're surprised they haven't sold better." the guy said to me. But folk back then just didn't realise that they were the most intelligent, brilliant invention since the wheel.