This product works by heating distilled water to the boiling point, thus producing steam. So it must be handled with the utmost care and stored well away from children. I read its instructional booklet and many cautions - twice - very carefully. A small insulated mitt is prided to protect your hand. But I have 2 silicone mitts I purchased from Amazon over a decade ago. You can search Amazon for a pair. They are larger and longer than the mitt provided with this steamer. And I highly recommend that you will be much safer using them on both hands, just to be sure you are well protected while using this handheld steamer. The steamer uses a great deal of energy to quickly produce its boiling water and steam. It uses so much electricity that it can potentially trigger a circuit-breaker. So be sure this device is the only one drawing energy when you need to use it. I chose to steam a pair of clean but wrinkled linen pants, which I hung from a laundry hanger which fits over a door. I placed the steamer on a silicone mat and let it cool on that mat after I used it. It worked effectively to smooth out the wrinkles, but I will admit I had been unprepared for the furiously boiling water once it heated up. Using my silicone mitts, however, I felt very safe using it. It’s an excellent product. So long as you are super careful - and use/buy your own silicone mitts! One for each hand - please do me (and your hands) that favor.
Edwin 
