Don't take your appliances for granted!Taking a moment to check appliances can save lives.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers the following tips for small appliances and tools:
To make sure appliances are in good condition, look for breaks in power cords, plugs or connectors.
An appliance which repeatedly blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker could indicate a defect that may cause a fire or electrical shock. Unplug the appliance immediately and have it repaired or replace.
Unplug any appliance that has given you an electrical shock and do not use it until it has been checked and repaired by a qualified technician.
Remember, electricity and water don't mix. Keep all electrical cords and products such as radios, TVs, hairdryers and curling irons away from water in a sink or tub.
If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or if it has given you a shock, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced.
Keep appliance cords as short as possible to avoid accidents such as tripping or knocking the appliance over.
Make certain all small appliances and tools are approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ETL-SEMKO (ETL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Use small appliances and power tools according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Unplug all small electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, curling irons, clothes irons, and toasters, when not in use.
Be sure you have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection anywhere electricity and water are within six feet of each other, such as in your kitchen, bathroom and outdoors, to protect against electric shock.
Take any damaged electrical appliance or tool to an authorized repair center, or cut the cord, safely dispose of the item, and purchase a new one.
Never reach into water to get an appliance that has fallen in without being sure the appliance is unplugged or the circuit is shut off.
Do not tuck in electric blankets.
Don't allow anything on top of the blanket while it is in use. This includes other blankets or comforters and even pets sleeping on top of the blanket.Do not use electric blankets on children.
Never go to sleep with a heating pad that is turned on. It can burn you. Newer heating pads have an automatic cut off switch.
Check to make sure power tools have a 3-prong plug or double-insulated cords, and consider replacing old tools that have neither.
Use properly grounded 3-prong adapter for connecting a 3-prong to a 2-hole receptacle.
Consider using a portable GFCI when using power tools.
Replace guards that have been removed from power tools.
There have been many recalls of power tools due to problems with the safety guard sticking. Be sure your model has not been recalled, as this hazard poses a serious risk of injury. Check online at www.recalls.gov
Check power tools before each use for frayed cords, broken plugs or cracked housing.
