The present disclosure provides a system (100) for operating a valve in an apparatus for dispensing heated conductive liquid and, more specifically, for implementing an automated safety shut off mechanism in the valve the moment that the liquid comes into contact with a user's body. The system operates by coupling a sensor (104) to a control element (106) such as a button that operates the liquid dispensing apparatus, and also introducing an electric current into the flow of liquid. When a user holds the button and comes into contact with the flow of heated liquid, the sensor detects the current from the flow and a controller shuts off the valve (108).