How to Prevent Home Fires due to Appliances

According to the the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires.

In fact there are many appliances in your home which if not properly maintained can become risks for a home fire. In this blog we will list the highest risk appliances and some steps that you may take which will help keep you and your family safe.

THE STOVE  

The stove is the cornerstone of any kitchen. It allows you to prepare those delicious home cooked meals. But did you know that same appliance that you depend on everyday can also become your worst nightmare? Its true that we cannot eliminate every risk but we can certainly take preventative steps.

• Be careful with excess oil that may get on your stove. 
• Do not let grease spills cause a fire and never leave the room while cooking.
• Make sure you turn of the appliance when it is not in use.
• Keep all flammable objects away from your stove.

Extra Tip: Never use your stove as a home heater as it can cause carbon monoxide! 

THE DISHWASHER

One of the most convenient things in anyone's kitchen is the ability to clean dishes quickly. Sure you could just hand wash them but in today's busy world sometimes there is not enough time. Despite the convenience that this appliance offers it also can become dangerous if not maintained. It is also a good idea to read up on your appliance online. Sometimes companies have issued out a recall due to a mechanical failure which could lead to a fire. 

• Do not under any circumstances leave your dishwasher running while you go off to sleep.
• A important fact to remember is that many dishwasher fires are not due to bad use from the user but are rather the products of a mechanical failure.  

THE WASHER & DRYER

Most of us could not go a day without our washers and dryers. They offer a level of convenience that only a few appliances can. These appliances are truly the peanut butter and jelly of the appliance world. They are also responsible for many home fires. According to the NFPA the leading cause of washer and dryer fires was the failure to clean them. 

• Clean your dryer vents. At SoBellas we have you covered. 
• Maintain your dryers lint tray. 
• Make sure your dryer duct is working at optimal standards.
• Make sure to clean your dryer and washer.    

THE MICROWAVE

 Microwaves are fast and efficient. They are very reliable but even a microwave can become the source of a home fire.  

• Never put metal in a microwave as it will surely cause a fire.
• Make sure to remove any food packaging before placing your food in the microwave. 

Ultimately a fire can happen at any time and there is no 100% way to prevent it. What we can do though is try our best to limit the chances of a fire occurring due to a faulty appliance. The tips above should be a great start towards protecting your beautiful home. We encourage our customers to continuously follow their instruction manuals guidelines. 

We offer our customers the ability to enroll in our customer care club which provides them with the option of having their appliances checked and maintained.