Appliance Safety

Practice good appliance habits.

Unplug electrical appliances before cleaning them. Never put metal objects in live parts of appliances or outlets—you could be shocked! Always unplug an appliance that overheats, and have it checked by a qualified repair person before using it again. Appliances should bear the approval seal of a recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Treat appliance cords with care, too:

Always pull on the plug, not the cord.
Don't carry an appliance by its cord.
Keep cords out from under rugs or furniture.
Don't use appliances with frayed or poorly insulated cords
Keep appliance cords safely away from ledges where children and pets can pull them down.

Use portable space heaters safely.

The safest types have switches that turn the heater off if it is tipped over. Make sure to keep portable heaters away from papers, bedding, draperies, and other combustible materials to prevent fires. And keep them away from water to prevent electric shock. Never leave a space heater unattended or leave children or pets alone in a room with a space heater.

Always be sure appliances and cords are in good working condition before you use them. Do not use cords to carry appliances, and always use the plug to pull cords from the wall.