Electric Appliance Safety

Appliances powered by electricity are used for heating our homes, heating our water, cooking our food, drying our clothes, and providing a comfortable ambiance. Follow these appliance safety guidelines to help ensure the safety of you, your home, and your appliances.

Make sure appliances in damp locations are plugged into a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Locations include bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor areas.
Make sure appliances have been approved by recognized testing centers to ensure national safety standards have been met.
Follow all manufacturer’s instructions on the appliance labels and in operating manuals.
Never use an improperly operating appliance.
Never use an appliance for anything other than its intended purpose.
Keep all plugs, cords, outlets, and electronics away from water.
Use extension cords for temporary use only and make sure the cord is the appropriate gauge for the appliance being used.
Unplug small appliances when not in use.
If an appliance has fallen into the water, never reach to get the appliance unless it is unplugged or the circuit is turned off.
Inspect plugs, cords, and connectors for cracks, splits, breaks or bare wires.
Keep cords as short as possible to avoid knocking the appliance over or creating a trip hazard.

Home Heating

Clean or replace furnace filters every month during heating and cooling seasons.
Have the heating and cooling appliances inspected annually by a certified professional.

Water Heating

Monitor the temperature setting to maintain safe usage and help prevent scalding.
Have the water heater inspected annually by a certified professional.

Cooking

Regularly clean underneath drop-in ranges and ovens to avoid dust and debris accumulation and grease build-up.
Keep refrigerator coils and vents free from dust and great build-up.
Always clean the microwave after each use, wiping away any splattered grease or oil.
Keep baked-on foods from accumulating in your oven or range by cleaning regularly following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Laundry

Make sure a 220v grounded outlet is used.
Make sure ductwork and exhaust hoses attached are free from restrictions such as lint build-up, kinks or folds.
Remove any lint or dust from lint traps and vacuum lint trap area for loose lint.
Keep the exhaust vent opening and adjacent surrounding areas free from lint accumulations.
Periodically check the exhaust duct to make sure there are no restrictions.
Never store or use flammable products around, in the same room or near any heat-producing appliances or equipment.