The Five BIggest Accident-Causing Appliances in Your Kitchen

Because of the number of heat-using appliances we have in our homes, it’s incredible that there aren’t more accidents. Older parents recall a time when they used to ask their children to make their toast in the morning. Now, there are even some colleges which refuse to allow first-year residents to have a toaster in their dorm room.

Heat appliances, toasters, in particular, are notorious for giving off heat when they're aren't supposed to be off.

Most people have an excellent sense of what can be dangerous, but mindfulness goes a long way. Reviewing safety practices is a great way to keep potential hazards at the forefront of your thoughts, mainly since we use kitchen appliances all the time.

In the interest of promoting safety around electrical appliances, we’ve compiled a list of hazards people encounter as the result of using these items. Don’t forget that keeping appliances in good working order isn’t just smart; it’s safer.

Dishwasher

The dishwasher is the secret devil, since it isn’t a cooking appliance. Not only can the steam escaping from a just-finished cycle scald you, but over 60% of all dishwashers have hazardous fungi growing in them. This article explains how to clean your dishwasher with household items like vinegar, baking soda, or bleach.

Microwave oven

Over-boil is always a danger, and sometimes food is much hotter than we think. Everyone has heard of someone who has had something explode from the heat in their microwave. Metal in the microwave is also a no-no, as is a microwave with a bent or warped door, or one with any damage which makes the door hard to close. Discard these units immediately.

Stove

This is your number one house fire starter (since everyone quit smoking), usually caused by inattentive cooking. Other culprits? Potholders, towels and other flammables by the stove, especially if a pet jumps on the counter, and not keeping the area free of grease. Turn pot handles toward the back of the unit, and the back burners used first.

Frying is the most dangerous kitchen activity since oil can get out of hand, spatters if water is thrown on it, and will spill if someone attempts to move it somewhere else. Don’t ever throw water on a grease fire! Turn off the heat and cover it with a metal lid or use an approved fire extinguisher, the one you always keep in your kitchen.

Oven

Most of the trouble from your oven comes in the form of contact burns by misusing the oven accessories: a towel instead of an oven mitt, reaching into the oven instead of pulling out the rack to check food for doneness. Other causes: leaving the door open for any reason, Having a dirty oven or using a wet towel as an oven mitt, using the inside of the oven for storage, or changing the level of the racks after you’ve already turned on the heat.

Toaster and toaster ovens

Trifecta of the toaster: burns, shocks, and fires. One thing people sometimes do is set plastic (like the wrapped loaf of bread) back on the toaster when it’s still hot. The top of the toaster or toaster oven should never be used to store anything. Remove everything from around a toaster or toaster oven before it’s turned on, or make a habit of not putting anything close to the toaster. Don’t forget to unplug it when you’re finished using it.

Last of all, avoid wearing loose clothing, droopy jewelry while cooking is as these can catch on pot handles or catch on fire. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while cooking.

The American Red Cross has started a campaign to reduce death and injuries from home fires by 25% by 2020. Kitchen appliance safety is an excellent place to start.

Freedom Appliance of Tampa Bay has 13 years experience in professional repair and installation of all laundry and kitchen appliances and dryer duct cleaning. Call 813-302-7672 today