When you’re at home, it’s important to be mindful of your appliances and how they can pose risks if not used safely. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 31,000 fires occur each year due in part to unsafe use of electricity, involving more than 180 cases where individuals were injured or killed! It may seem like an overwhelming task, but we’ve put together some helpful tips for protecting yourself against these dangerous situations.
What Causes Electric Fires in Your Home?
The National Fire Protection Association noted that defective or damaged wiring and related electrical equipment caused 69 percent of electrical fires, followed by light fixtures, lamps, wires, plugs, transformers and other power sources. Always consult a professional electrician when looking for potential fire hazards in your home.
10 Tips for Home Appliance Safety
Electrical safety is very important. The instructions provided by Quantum Electric Company, Wilmington, North Carolina, below will help you avoid many common mistakes and dangers in your home’s electrical system, so be sure to follow them carefully!
1. Always follow appliance instructions for improved electrical safety.
Like many appliances in today’s world, your home electronics are always on and waiting for you to use them. It is important that we follow the instructions carefully because there could be safety issues with our equipment if they’re not followed correctly! If an item gives off a mild electric shock when used as instructed by its manual, then stop using it until qualified service has been obtained from someone who knows what he/she’s doing (and doesn’t get shocked).
2. When you’re at home, be sure to check all of your sockets for safety.
Overloaded electrical outlets can cause problems, and it’s important that they are in good working order with protective panels or covers on them so no one gets shocked when touching a live wire!
ESFI says there is this thing called “over-load” where too many things plug into one slot, which makes an already sensitive circuit breaker go flip out of sorts…so don’t do any heavy lifting near this type of stuff unless you know what you’re doing since I just learned from experience not too long ago.
The sockets on your home’s electrical circuit need to be able to safely receive power from the outlet. You should only plug one heat-generating device into each socket at a time and make sure that you have an extension cord or multi-plug adapter for any appliances that require more than two plugs (such as air conditioners). If there is not enough room within reachable distance of where these items will eventually go, then consider purchasing another smart MadeForIOS socket nearby instead!
3. Replace or repair damaged wires to keep your home safe.
There’s a serious risk of electrical fire and shock if you have damaged power cords. Make sure to inspect them regularly for signs that they’re wearing down, as well as cracks in the cord itself—both can lead directly towards an accident which could quite possibly cause life-threatening injuries or even death! Don’t anchor your wires under carpets because it puts strain on these delicate materials; instead find safe places nearby where there isn’t any furniture around (such as outdoors). Plugging into outlets will help reduce trips across treacherous ground surfaces while also preventing possible burns.
Extension cords can be a lifesaver if you have an unexpectedly busy day, but they might not always provide the perfect solution. If your home is full of places where extension cables are constantly being used and there’s no room left on outlet panels or power bars for all these extra wires, then it may be time to consider installing some new hardware! In order to help make sure everything runs smoothly without getting tangled up in excess cordage (or frying electric gadgets), get professional assistance from someone who understands safety rules like myself—I’m happy to custom fit any requirements needed at my company.
Pro tip: AWG is short for “American Wire Gauge.” The lower the number, the thicker the rope!
4. Keep your used and unused wires neat and secure to prevent damage.
Electrical safety tips are important for not only ensuring that you stay safe while working with power cords but also storing your equipment. Avoid wrapping tightly around objects, which could stretch out the cord, causing overheating, as well as affect insulation due to damage over time if left wet by rainwater, etc., so make sure it is dry before placing it onto hot surfaces!
5. Unplug all unused electrical plugs to reduce potential risks.
For many people, one of the most overlooked electrical safety tips is when they forget to unplug their appliances. Not only does this save you money by reducing any phantom bleed (energy consumed by devices while switched off), but unplugging can also prevent appliances from overheating or getting damaged in case there are power surges! With new smart sockets coming up with different plans for each outlet, it’ll be easier than ever before to remember which ones stay charged throughout the day-so no more worrying about forgetting.
6. Electrical equipment and power sockets should be kept away from water to avoid electric shock.
Electrical equipment is a serious risk when it comes to water. Follow these rules for safe use and handling, as well as preventing any damage from occurring that could lead to an accident or injury! Be sure your hands stay dry at all times while working with appliances too-especially if you’re near sink/shower areas where there’s likely more moisture around (and not just on purpose).
7. Give your appliance proper space for air circulation to avoid overheating.
With proper ventilation, your home’s electrical equipment won’t overheat and short out. This is because they need fresh air to operate properly! Make sure you avoid running appliances in closed cabinets or away from walls where possible—this includes gas dryers too! .. Don’t forget about storing flammable items near any kind of electronics though; these contain sensitive components that can get destroyed by flames if not handled correctly (and quickly).
8. Make sure all exhaust fans are clean to prevent fire hazards.
There are some appliances that have an exhaust fan, and these can get dirty or clogged with debris. This makes it hard for the appliance to work properly, which shortens its life span as well as poses risks from overheating at home due to dangerous gas buildup if left unchecked by regular cleaning sessions-this could lead to fires! So keep your vent clean every once in awhile so you don’t risk burning down yourself plus all those who live nearby too!!!
9. Check that all your fixtures and appliances are using the correct wattage.
In order to prevent electrical problems, check all lights and fixtures in your home. If there is no wattage listed on a light fixture, then use 60-watt bulbs or less for unmarked ceiling-mounted ones as well—25 watts will do better with unlit areas like closets where insects may be hiding out.
Pro tip: LED bulbs consume less power and reduce the risk of overheating the light fixture. Learn more about the benefits of LED lights .
10. Pay attention to portable heaters and water heaters to prevent possible accidents
Portable heaters are excellent for use in homes with limited space. They can be easily moved around and stored, which makes them great if you don’t want to clutter up your living area with an old furnace or boiler! Keep these safety tips handy so they’ll always stay put while using yours: -Portable heaters should never come within reach of curtains because when pulled close they will cause flames or ashfalling pillars (depending upon model). This includes both sides as well; there’s no exception whatsoever.
Final thought
With these tips, you can ensure electrical safety in your home and avoid any potential accidents. Remember to always consult a professional electrician if you are unsure about anything. They will be able to help you out and provide peace of mind.