Appliance Fire Safety

  • Each year there are 24,300 residential appliance fires resulting in 100 deaths and 925 injuries
  • Some electrical fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects; however, many more are caused by misuse, poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords
  • Having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chance of dying in a fire by nearly a half

Appliance Safety Life-Saving Tips

  • Don't let children play near electrical space heaters; keep clothes, curtains and other flammable items at least three feet away from heaters
  • If an appliance has a three-prong plug, never force it into a two-slot outlet or extension cord
  • Immediately repair appliances or lamps that sputter or spark
  • In case of a fire, crawl or stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke
  • Instead of a simple extension cord, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers
  • Keep appliances away from wet areas, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, basement and garage
  • Never overload outlets or extension cords
  • Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms; if you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm in each bedroom
  • Prepare and practice a home fire escape plan
  • Regularly inspect your extension cords for fraying and never use an extension cord as permanent wiring
  • Routinely check your wiring, look for outlets that don't work, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker