Appliance Safety for the Holidays

Have Fun, Stay Safe

Hopefully, you’ve already reviewed our tips on holiday decoration safety. Another area to be aware of when it comes to celebrating safely is that many of us host gatherings and go the extra mile to stay cozy this time of year.

• Staying Warm: If you plan to use a space heater over the holidays, be extra sure that you invest in a newer model with the highest safety ratings. You will also want to be absolutely sure that you don’t use it within three feet of anything flammable, such as your decorations. For full details on space-heater safety, be sure to read our related blog. If you’re considering an electric blanket, our short answer is: don’t. The very nature of using a blanket encourages you to get cozy enough to fall asleep, and that is exactly what you don’t want to do when using an electrically powered heating appliance.

• Cooking a Feast: Holiday meals together are always something to look forward to. If you are hosting the gathering this year and spending the day (or more!) preparing a banquet of food, here are a few things to remember:

• Crockpots: These handy cookers are perfect for cooking things all day long in the background while you prepare other things. However, don’t let your crockpot be so much in the background that you’re not aware of whether or not it is functioning safely. Inspect the plug and its connection the outlet before using and again a time or two throughout the day to avoid a potential fire hazard. We hope it goes without saying to please—as convenient as it may seem—never leave your crockpot running when you are not at home.

• Small Appliances: From toaster ovens to blenders to mixers to coffee makers and beyond, you will likely be using a variety of small appliances if you are preparing food for and/or hosting a gathering. As with the crockpot advice above, be sure to check all cords for damage before using the appliance. You may want to do this in the days before you actually need to rely on it in case something needs to be replaced!

• Your Power Grid: Overall, remember that it is possible to overload your home electrical system if you are using many appliances at once (i.e., running the dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer, the blender and the microwave all at once). You may want to have a licensed local electrician out to perform a free assessment of your system and have a conversation with you about its capacity with regard to your max-use moments.

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Stack Heating, Cooling & Electric has been serving the greater Cleveland area since 1976. We value our customer relationships and look forward to working with you! Give us a call today to schedule your appointment with a professional local electrician or HVAC contractor.