Electric irons are made of iron, and since iron is a goodconductor of electricity, if you touch it with your bare hands youwould get shocked. Plastic doesn't conduct electricity and is oneof the best insulators, so it would be safe to use plastic handleswhile ironing. Even if the ironing machine isn't electric, themachine is bound to get heated, and if you touch it to use it, youwould burn your hand, so no matter the type of ironing machines,you always need a plastic handle.