The Clapper Helps with OCD

While struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for 8 years, I always looked for ways to make the activities of each day easier for myself. Something as simple as turning a light on and off may be easy for some, but for me it was very difficult. You see, my OCD is basically a fear of contamination and I can only touch things when I'm wearing latex gloves. That may not sound like much of a problem for turning a light on and off and during the day it's not, but imagine having to put latex gloves on to go turn the light off at night and then take the gloves off in the dark and find your way back to your bed. Just thinking about it, as I'm typing it, makes me feel exhausted. It was during the holiday season, as I was browsing through the "As Seen On TV" section in a local drugstore, that I noticed "The Clapper" by Joseph Enterprises Inc. You know the song, "Clap on [the sound of 2 hand claps] Clap off [the sound of 2 more hand claps]. I remembered hearing the song, but I never tried the product before. I read about its general features on the box:

The sound activated on/off switch. With clap detection lights.

2 Claps turn on the lamp. 3 Claps turn on the TV.

The Clapper can control one or two appliances at the same time.

Set the dial to Home or Away.

Connect your appliance(s) into The Clapper. Plug The Clapper into any standard wall outlet.

Special Features: Clap Detection Lights - Lights glow in sequence when proper claps are detected. Sound Sensitivity Dial - Adjusts for softer or louder claps.

For $21.99, I thought it all sounded good and a great solution for my problem - well, at least one of them, so I decided to give it a try and I purchased it. It is now 4 years later and I can't be without my Clapper. Besides it being very beneficial to me when I'm going to sleep, it's also great when I return home after dark and all I have to do is clap when I walk in the door, to turn a light on. If you set the dial on "Away" any slight noise will activate the Clapper and do this for you, and in this position, it can also serve as a security device by turning on appliances at the first noise it picks up, which can discourage potential intruders. The only downside with the dial on "Away" is that I found it to be annoying when it turns lights/appliances on and off while I'm at home, just from the slightest noise. Sometimes, this happens with the dial on "Home" also, when it is plugged into the 2 clap outlet, rather than the 3 clap one. The Clapper can be a lifesaver for many physically disabled people, such as those who have limited mobility as a result of a stroke, or those who are partially paralyzed. For someone who is handicapped and without fine motor skills, the Clapper will even work by yelling similar sound(s)/word(s) to the sound of 2 hand claps and 3 hand claps.

Please note that the Clapper will not work with a fluorescent fixture and it only works up to 250 watts.

One problem I have yet to master with the Clapper is how not to have it zap out on each side and eventually the whole product, EVERY TIME a light bulb blows out. I haven't heard of anyone having this similar problem, though. I have surely gone through A LOT of Clappers - and they are quite expensive. You would think the company would have solved this problem, over the years. Maybe that's why the product only has a thirty (30) day limited warranty. That is the only major flaw I found the Clapper to have.

I have not yet bought Joseph Enterprises Inc. newest version of the Clapper - the Clapper Plus. It has all the features and functions of the original Clapper and it also comes with a wireless remote control. This Clapper Plus can be activated by clapping like the original, or with the remote control. The wireless remote control will work up to 25-30 feet away and you don't even need to point it, to make it work. It will work through walls and windows.

Every year, during the holiday season, I can still purchase the Clapper at local mass merchandise stores and drug stores. During off-season, I buy it online at several, reasonably priced, purchasing websites.

Overall, I love the Clapper and I can't see any time in my future without it.