Appliance safety tips

[edit] Basic Appliance Safety Tips

1. Always turn off appliances that are not being used. This saves money and is safer.

2. Make sure all natural gas appliances are properly vented outside.

3. Avoid touching plumbing or other metal when an appliance is in use.

4. Keep all appliances away from water. Never stand in water while using one.

5. When replacing bulbs, make sure not to use a bulb with more watts then the previous bulb.

6. When buying tools and appliances, make sure the product has been tested for safety by checking for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) seal of approval.

7. Never store flammable chemicals anywhere near an appliance with a pilot light.

8. Always pay attention to worn spots, brittleness and breaks on cords due to wear.

9. Plug major appliances directly into an outlet.

10. Immediately repair or replace switches and outlets that spark or cause shocks.

11. Always know where to locate the circuit breaker or fuse box in your home.

12. Make sure to check your appliances for incomplete combustion to prevent any harm caused by carbon monoxide intake.

[edit] Home Appliance Tips

Here are a few tips for those of you interested in doing some home repairs. Don’t let your ego land you in the hospital. Make sure you know what you’re doing before you begin.

Emergency Tips

• If you smell gas, open all windows and doors. Then turn off all gas supplies.

• If you have flooding from an appliance, turn off the water supply to the appliance.

• If you smell a hint of smoke, turn off the power immediately. Unplug if possible.

• If you see smoke, but you can’t tell where it’s coming from call 911 and get out.

• If you see flames and smoke, get out of the house and call 911.

Safety Tips

• Turn the power off at the breaker box or fuse box or unplug the appliance before you begin doing any repairs.

• Turn off the water supply to any appliance you may be working on.

• Make sure you have plenty of light in the area you are working on.

• Make sure a phone is handy while you are working on your appliance.

• Use a dolly or helpers when lifting appliances. Major appliances may look light, but weigh hundreds of pounds.

Safety Tips for Gas Appliances

• Know exactly how to turn the gas supply off to your dwelling.

• If you smell gas, vent the area immediately and turn off the gas. This means you have a leak somewhere. If you don’t know how to find the leak, call a professional.

• Before working on any gas appliances, be sure to turn off the gas supply and then open the valve to release any residual gas from the pipes and lines.

[edit] Related Links

See if you can mend a broken appliance