Home Appliances | Electricals and Consumer Electronics

Home Appliance Safety Tips

Regularly inspect your extension cords for fraying and never use an extension cord as permanent wiring.

Instead of a simple extension cord, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers.

Routinely check your wiring. Look for outlets that don't work, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Never overload outlets or extension cords.

Immediately repair appliances or lamps that sputter or spark.

Keep appliances away from wet areas in the kitchen, bathroom, basement and garage.

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, never force it into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

Don't let children play near electrical space heaters. Keep clothes, curtains and other flammable items at least three feet away from heaters.

In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and have an escape plan already worked out.

Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.