Electric Appliance Safety in the Home

Use and maintain electric appliances safely around your home:

• Remove breadcrumbs from the toaster regularly as a build up can be dangerous.
• Electric blankets should be checked at the start of each winter for damaged wires, plugs, leads and hot spots. If the electric blanket is damaged you should replace it immediately.
• Electric blankets should be laid flat and secured tightly on the bed so that the blanket can't crease.
• Remember to turn off your electric blanket at the power point when you get into bed.
• Switch off and unplug your toaster before trying to remove toast, muffins or crumpets that are stuck in the toaster.
• Never use a faulty electric appliance, or one that has a frayed cord, cracked or broken plug, or any appliance that has given someone any kind of shock.
• To avoid a shock, always switch off power points before plugging and unplugging appliances.
• Remove appliances from the power point by holding the plug, and not by pulling the cord.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Have appliances serviced regularly in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
• Never leave your home with appliances such as heaters, ovens and cook-tops operating.
• Never place fan heaters, televisions and electrical equipment in areas with restricted airflow as overheating may occur.
• Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after each use and ensure the load goes through a full cycle to allow the dryer to cool down.
• Remove any build-up of materials around the electric motor of exhaust fans (eg.fluff, dust and lint.)
• Clean range hood filters regularly.
• Clean ovens and stovetops regularly to prevent build up of spilled fats and burnt foods.
• Install a ventilation system or exhaust fan in the kitchen to remove fumes while cooking.
• When buying second-hand appliances make sure that a licensed electrician has tested them.