Like many conscientious homeowners, Karen Young owned a fire extinguisher in case cooking fires flared up. Her smart planning was a lifesaver. One memorable evening, Young pulled the pin and pointed the extinguisher…at the dishwasher. The front vents, where steam gently wafted after cycles finished, boiled with black smoke and flames. The jaunty control buttons would never start another wash. They were melting down the front panel.
“Her dishwasher had been recalled for faulty wiring,” says John Gugliotta, President of Paul Davis of Boston South, Boston Metro West, and Rhode Island, Massachusetts, “and it’s surprising how many appliances are recalled for serious safety issues. Microwaves, stoves, washing machines, toaster ovens, you name it. That’s one reason it’s prudent to register your appliance after purchase: recall notifications come from the manufacturer instead of the news.”
Appliances, while they are essential conveniences, can pose serious fire risks. These hazards fall into four main categories, the first of which is manufacturing error. The other three categories, however, point fingers of blame in a dismaying direction. Users like us. During Canada’s annual Fire Prevention Week - October 8th through October 14th - take a few minutes to better understand appliance fire precautions.
- Improper use: In many cases, appliances aren’t the problem. We are. We use lightbulbs in the range hood that exceed manufacturer specifications. We neglect to turn off the iron. We take a long phone call as flammable nuts toast on the range top. We use an extension cord for the window air conditioner, which overheats because it isn’t nearly equal to the heavy electrical load.
- Lack of maintenance: In this category, once again, we humans are guilty. We don’t clean the dryer vent, allowing exquisitely dry lint – which savvy hikers take to start campfires - to overheat. We ignore a tiny leak in the washing machine, which causes a short. We ignore toaster oven crumbs for months.
- Incorrect installation: In this case, it isn’t directly our fault because we don’t often install our own appliances. Wisely so: retaining qualified installers is important. Otherwise, loose electrical connections or improper grounding endanger users. Appliances are situated too close to flammable materials. In one memorable case, cardboard packing blocks weren’t removed during installation, providing perfect fuel when the oven was used for the very first time.
“Being aware is your best defense against appliance fires,” Gugliotta says. “And don’t forget, small appliances cause devastating blazes, too. Toasters, irons, coffeemakers, hot plates – these are more than capable of burning your house down. Do what I do: unplug them after every use.”