Home Appliance Hazards -
Ten Tips For Maximum Safety
These days, we seem to own plenty of home appliances that are
supposed to reduce our workloads and make life easier and simpler. But
with those work-saving appliances come some hidden risks that could
cause losses that cost us our homes, our contents, and our peace of
mind.
Here is a list of home appliances and the built-in hazards that you
can easily prevent:
1. Dishwasher: Has an average life expectancy of 9 years.
Make sure the door seals work properly to prevent water leaks. If it
won't drain properly, check the garbage disposal to see if it's clear.
Water leaks from dishwashers regularly cause water damage in kitchens.
If the leak is sudden, you're probably covered. If the leak keeps
happening over time, you probably won't be covered for loss.
2. Clothes washer: Has an average life expectancy of 10
years. Replace the rubber hoses with flexible stainless steel braided
hoses to prevent hose bursts and big water claims. If a hose bursts,
the water could spray the laundry room until someone finds it, causing
a big water loss.
3. Clothes dryer (gas or electric): Has an average life
expectancy of 10 years. Lint build-up inside dryers causes nearly
4,000 fires each year. Make sure your dryer hose vents correctly.
Replace plastic vent hoses with metal. Clean the lint filter after
every dryer load. Disconnect the dryer and hose twice a year and sweep
out the lint under and inside the dryer cabinet. You'll be shocked at
how much lint you'll find.
4. Toaster/toaster oven: Has an average life expectancy of 5
years. All of these little toasters have a trap door so you can clean
them out. Crumbs dry out and become very flammable. Clean out the
crumbs to prevent a fire.
5. Microwave: Has an average life expectancy of 8
years. Never use metal inside a microwave. It will start a fire. It
will also damage or destroy the magnetron that generates the waves.
6. Gas Stove/Oven: Has an average life expectancy of 15
years. Got electronic burner lighters? If you turn on the burner, and
it doesn't light immediately, turn off the burner. Even three seconds
of gas...unlit...can explode when lit. Let the gas dissipate for about
30 seconds before trying again. If you have to, dismantle the burner
eye and clean it out. Also, make sure you clean up spills inside the
oven which can generate smoke and start a fire. You've got a lot of
open flame with a gas stove. Watch out for sleeves, dish towels and
pot holders. And NEVER walk away from pan of oil heating on a stove.
Most home fires are due to cooking, and most fires occur between 5-7
am and 5-7 pm.
If you have a cooktop fire, don't move the pan! Place the pan
lid on the pan to smother the fire, or use a fire extinguisher. Never
try to extinguish a grease fire with water.
7. Electric stove: Has an average life expectancy of 13
years. Have a burner or oven element that malfunctions or burns out?
Replace it right away. Also, make sure you clean up spills inside the
oven which can generate smoke and start a fire.
8. Refrigerator/freezer: Has an average life expectancy of 15
years. This appliance regularly has an icemaker, which has a plastic
water line that feeds it. These water lines burst frequently, and they
will pump water out onto the floor until someone discovers it. Replace
the plastic icemaker line with a copper line.
9. Garbage disposal: Has an average life expectancy of 15 years. If
it gets blocked, go to the fusebox and turn off the breaker or fuse
before trying to clear it. Don't ever stick your hand down inside a
garbage disposal. Replace the rubber drain line with a braided line.
10. Electrical extension cords: Not an appliance, but cause
thousands of fires each year. Don't use a frayed cord. Look at the
amperage rating on the cord, and don't plug in stuff that exceeds the
rating. If you have a cord that you can't find a rating on, throw it
away. Don't place a cord under a rug, carpet or under a piece of
furniture. Check ALL of the cords in your home to make sure that there
is no furniture leg resting on a cord. Feel cords in use to see if
they are warm or hot. If they are, throw them away and get a heavier
cord. Using power strips is safer than cords.
I recommend that if any appliance repairs will cost more than half
of the price of a new appliance, replace it.
If you will take care to do these simple tips, you will drastically
lessen the chances of having a disastrous home fire. But if you do
have a home fire, you will need an expert to help you submit your
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