5 Appliance Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
Home appliances are essential for modern living, but they can pose unexpected dangers if not used properly. This article presents crucial safety tips that every homeowner should know to protect their family and property. Drawing on insights from experts in the field, these guidelines offer practical advice for maintaining a safe home environment.
- Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
- Store Hot Appliances Out of Children's Reach
- Cover Outlets and Secure Appliance Cords
- Choose Stovetops with Child-Safe Knob Placement
- Keep Appliance Cords Secured and Unreachable
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
One of the most important appliance safety tips I share with families is to keep cords out of reach and unplug small appliances when not in use, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Young children are curious and quick. A dangling cord from the blender or hair dryer can be all it takes for a serious accident. A child could pull it down onto themselves, leading to burns, electrical shock, or even a fire. Unplugging those appliances not only removes the temptation but also reduces the risk of electrical hazards.
Store Hot Appliances Out of Children's Reach
Being a parent, I was able to see firsthand how rapidly curiosity turns into a threat within the household. My tip number one, which I always advise other parents on, is making sure hot appliances like irons, kettles, and stoves are stored where kids can't get to them. Kids are inquisitive, and these kinds of appliances lead to burns and scalds, a great risk. Placing them out of reach on higher shelves or safety locks will keep it from happening. It's easy to remember that dangers lurk in appliances at home, but to a young child, a hot iron or whistling teapot is a toy.
Small measures like pulling appliances off countertops and using child-proofing devices can be lifesavers. Most of the new appliances even have safety features built-in, like auto shut-offs, that provide an added sense of security. The answer is to stay ahead of the game, keep cables out of reach, and watch where you set down hot things. These are easy changes that will make your home a better place for your kids to play without the added frustration of accidents.
Cover Outlets and Secure Appliance Cords
One key appliance safety recommendation for households with toddlers is the application of outlet covers and the safekeeping of appliance cords.
Children are known to be very curious and in the stage of development where exploration is done through touching and pulling on anything within reach. Uncovered sockets are a source of danger, as fingers can find their way into them. Hanging or trailing cords can be pulled, causing appliances such as toasters, kettles, or irons to fall, resulting in burns, electric shocks, or injuries.
Parents can be proactive in preventing electrical accidents by applying outlet covers and placing cords at the back of furniture or using cord organizers, thus creating a safer environment for children.
Choose Stovetops with Child-Safe Knob Placement
If you're renovating your kitchen and will be buying a stovetop, units with an oven below can be purchased with the knobs on the back of the unit, above the heating elements, and not on the front where children can easily turn them on. However, if you're going to add a cooktop to a counter without an integrated oven, those controls are almost always on the front. In this case, you can get covers that go over the knobs to prevent kids from turning them on. Sure, it's a pain to get past the covers every time you want to make mac 'n' cheese, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Keep Appliance Cords Secured and Unreachable
Always keep appliance cords out of reach and secured. Curious young children can easily tug on dangling cords from kettles, irons, or toasters, pulling hot or heavy appliances down onto themselves. Using cord shorteners, keeping appliances pushed back on counters, and unplugging them when not in use are simple steps that drastically reduce this risk.
