From the refrigerator to the blender, sitting room to the kitchen, our homes are filled with electrical home appliances that often we can’t do without. These appliances have made life easy, comfortable and allowing us more time to carry out other activities that maybe there are no appliance to do that.



However, what are the potential dangers that lurk around these electrical appliances when they are not used or maintained properly. Whether the danger can spark fire or cause an electric shock, it could be frightening or life threatening. And we don’t want that.

Understanding these potential hazards can help keep you, your family, and your property safe.

Here are some most common dangers with the appliances we use every day:



Danger 1: Frayed Cord

The electric cord on your appliance contains a live wire and a neutral wire, both securely insulated from direct contact with water, flammable material, or your own hands.

Once the cord becomes frayed, the live wire is exposed, leaving your household vulnerable to electrocution or electric fires.

Check your cords regularly and replace any frayed or damaged cords immediately. If a power point switch is cracked or broken, contact an electrician; do not touch it or try to repair it yourself.

Danger 2: Poor Maintenance

Many appliances need to be cleaned or cleared regularly to prevent build-up of material which could ignite a fire. Regularly clean ovens and hot plates to prevent the build-up of spilt foods and pooling fats.

Clear dust and lint away from the electric motors of exhaust fans.

In this part of the world, we don not know what servicing is all about. We only service, for example our generators when faults have accumulated causing it not to be operational. Therefore, for your own and appliance good, imbibe the habit of keeping a written record of your appliances. To know when they need servicing so you can attend to this regularly and on time. This way, you know any minor issues have been corrected and the appliance is still safe to use.

Danger 3: Overloaeded circuit
Overloaded circuit can be very inconvenient and very untidy to our homes. Your wiring system can only handle a certain level of power, so circuit breakers (or fuses) are put in place to limit the power going through your electrical system.

However, if you exceed the power demands on one circuit, the circuit breaker will shut down the entire circuit so as to prevent it from causing damage.

Too many appliances taking advantage of the same circuit can lead to overloads, but as you likely have several circuits within your home, you can simply move some appliances to a different circuit. For example, if your microwave and electric kettle is plugged in one circuit, you can take the blender to another circuit in another room to blend your fruits. Also you can unplug the appliances that are not regularly in use.

If you find that you are having regular short circuits, you should check every appliance carefully, to establish where the problem may be originating.

Extension cords should only ever be a temporary measure—not only do they have the potential to overload your circuit, they are also potential trip hazards, and may become tangled or frayed with frequent use.

Danger 4: Proximity to Water

Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, which means that if you are touching water that comes into contact with electricity, the electricity will likely travel through the water and then through your body to reach the ground—which can cause serious injuries.

Keep all electrical appliances away from water, and never touch anything electrical while you are standing in or near water, or when your hands are wet.

If an electrical fire starts in your home, use a multi-purpose fire extinguisher rather than attempting to extinguish it with water, as doing so may cause further shorts and more-intense fires. Continue Reading http://www.homeaplik.com/hap-class/hap-106-risks-taking-not-maintaining-electrical-home-appliances