I agree that the US voltage is safer (with the tradeoff of lower output powers available at your outlets). However, I suspect this is more than negated by the US plug design, which carries a much larger risk of shocks than almost all EU plug designs (Schuko, British/Type G, etc...)
reply- uninsulated metal pins make contact with supply while partially exposed - much smaller distance between metal pins and the edge of the plug
100% agree the US plug designs are terrible.
replyBut there's no inherent power tradeoff: you can have 240V outlets in the US, with the two prongs both 120V to ground. They're just really uncommon in residences.
Dryers and Stoves/range outlets are very common in US houses. Of course they are generally hidden behind the device and so most people are not sure if they have them at not. They are also reasonably common in garages (welders, air compressors, table saws... - if your hobby needs them you install them, otherwise you won't have them).
replyIn the EU it is quite common for houses to have three-phase power. If you squint a bit, the grounded neutral of the Y transformer isn't entirely unlike the grounded center tap in the US. The voltage is a lot higher, of course!
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