In our homes, there are numerous household appliances that we use daily which can also be dangerous if not used rightly. Whether it’s your microwave, oven, dryer, or blender, you need to operate your appliances safely to reduce the risk of accidents. With that in mind, here are four common dangers associated with household appliances.
Fires
There are over 360,000 fires in homes across the United States every year, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. No matter what kind of appliances you have in your home, there are several measures you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe. Installing smoke detectors in your bedroom, basement, and kitchen, testing your alarms monthly, as well as purchasing a home alarm system that detects smoke will mean that should a fire break out, you will be instantly notified. If you have a dryer, you can get it professionally cleaned by Dryer Vent Tech to avoid fires and mold buildup.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer as it cannot be detected by smell. To keep you and your family safe, make sure that you have carbon monoxide detectors fitted in your property which will alert you of a gas leak. Even if you have a brand new stove, there is always the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, make sure that your heaters are checked once a year to minimize danger from carbon monoxide poisoning. Some home security alert systems have carbon monoxide detection built-in, which will alert you if there are unsafe levels in your property.
Cuts
When using appliances like a dishwasher, there is the risk of getting cuts and bruises from not storing kitchen items correctly. Any sharp items like knives and forks must be placed down in the dishwasher. If you have young children, they may not be aware of the dangers and could end up seriously injured as a result. There are lots of household appliances that feature child safety locks which will put your mind at ease.
Burns
While burns may not seem like a common household danger, there is always a risk whenever you use a stove or dishwasher. There are many strategies you can implement to help make sure no one in your home feels the soaring heat of a fresh burn. When unloading your dishwasher, make sure that it latches securely to stop curious fingers from pulling open the door, especially near the end of a cycle when burns are more likely to occur from steam. Gas stoves especially are the perfect area for something to catch fire accidentally. So, you must use stove knob covers that will protect your property from potential fires.
The kitchen is regarded as the most dangerous room in a property. With fire, heat, water, and electricity to contend with, it’s easy to see how fires can start in the kitchen. Any appliances you have in your home must be tested beforehand to ensure they meet safety standards, helping to keep you and your loved ones protected and out of harm’s way.