Tag Archives: electrical

How to Prevent Dryer Fires

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Every year, firefighters across the country respond to around 14,630 home fires caused by clothes dryers, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

One-third of these fires is caused by an accumulation of lint, which means that not cleaning out your dryer vent can set you up for a dangerous situation that’s far more serious than the drop in performance caused by constricting a dryer’s duct work

1. Clean the Lint Filter

Not once a month, or even once a week. Clean the lint from the dryer’s lint screen before and after every load.

2. Clean the Dryer Duct Annually (at Least)

If you notice that your dryer takes longer to dry laundry than it used to, that’s a clue that there may be a blockage in the dryer vent system. When you’re drying a load, go outside and look at the vent. Do you see or feel exhaust air? If not, the vent or exhaust duct may be blocked with lint.

3. Handle Chemical Stains With Care

Clothes stained with gas, cooking oil, cleaning agents, or other flammable chemicals or substances need special care. Wash such stained clothing more than once to minimize volatile chemicals, then hang to dry. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that concludes with a cool-down period.

4. Never Run the Dryer When You Leave Home or Are Sleeping

We all have probably caved to convenience and thrown a load of clothes into the dryer before heading to work or running errands. However, if a fire starts while you are gone, you cannot stop it early. If you are asleep, it may be too late before you realize that your house has caught fire. For your own safety, consider running the dryer only when you are home and awake. It is also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your laundry room, just in case something does go wrong.

In the event that a fire does start, keep the dryer door closed to limit its oxygen supply—a fire needs oxygen to keep it going.

sources: https://www.consumerreports.org/clothes-dryer/how-to-prevent-dryer-fires/ 
https://learn.compactappliance.com/preventing-dryer- fires/

 

Electrical fire safety

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Reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home by following these safety tips.

Each year, thousands of residential fires are caused by small appliances or faulty home wiring, cords and plugs. It’s one of the leading causes of household fires and can often end in tragedy.

 

Home wiring

All equipment and appliances in your home that use electricity increases the risk of fire. To reduce the risk, inspect cords and plugs regularly. Contact a qualified electrician immediately if you notice any issues with your home’s wiring. Do not attempt to fix faulty wiring unless you are qualified to do so

Small appliances

When it comes to small appliances, there’s one important rule to remember – unplug them when you’re not using them. This is especially true with appliances that produce heat, such as:

  • toasters
  • toaster ovens
  • microwave ovens
  • hair dryers
  • portable dishwashers
  • electric kettles

Be cautious with appliances when they are in use. Appliances with automatic turn-offs, for example, may malfunction as they age. Instead of shutting down properly, they could continue to heat up and potentially start a fire.

Check for recalls

You can check for the latest product recalls by visiting the Government of Canada’s recalls and safety alerts page. If you are moving into a home that has appliances installed, you should record their make and model and check for any recalls or review customers’ experiences with those products.

Inspect appliances and cords

Reduce the risk of an electrical fire in your home by following these tips:

  • Replace cracked, frayed or damaged power cords.
  • Never route cords under carpeting or where they can be damaged by furniture.
  • Never use damaged appliances.
  • Stop using an appliance if it repeatedly blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker. Unplug it and repair or replace it.
  • If you have children, install tamper-resistant outlets.

 

Protect yourself from electrical shock

Be sure you have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection anywhere electricity and water are within 2 meters of each other to protect against electric shock. These outlets are designed to save lives when a small appliance comes into contact with water.

Ensure your GFCI is working properly:

  1. Press the test button
  2. You should hear a click sound that trips the outlet
  3. To ensure it has actually cut the power, try the same test using a nightlight
  4. If the light goes out, you know you’re safe

 

Use only approved appliances

Make certain all small appliances have a mark (approved) from an accredited testing laboratory, such as the Underwriters Laboratories Canada or the Canadian Standards Association. Only use small appliances according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not overload outlets

Limit how many appliances are plugged in and being used at the same time. Unplug all small appliances not in use.

 

source: https://www.alberta.ca/electrical-fire-safety.aspx