Looking after your machine with good care and maintenance is the best way to keep it, you and your home safe. Appliances are designed and tested to high standards to ensure they work safely in the home but users should be aware of some essential principles. Click here to read what you can do to ensure safe usage of your machines in your home.
Here you can find information about how to make sure your appliances and your home are safe
Know thy appliance
Read the instruction booklet that comes with an appliance – there is usually also a brand website with all kinds of additional information about your product.
Store any instruction manuals safely. It is a good idea to note the serial number and date of purchase in the booklet for easy reference.
Download a user guide online if your booklet has gone astray.
Safe as houses
Fit at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and place one near your kitchen as a priority. Remember to test them frequently.
Gas appliances should be safety checked and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Set a reminder at www.staygassafe.co.uk.
Be mindful of extension leads. Ensure you don’t overload your extension leads. Check the amps your leads can safely carry. First check the amps your leads can safely carry: the maximum is normally 13 amps. Then check your appliance usage – for example a fridge freezer can draw around 5 amps and a toaster 9 amps. While extension leads are very useful, they are probably best used as a temporary measure or for small appliances only.
Keep laundry and cleaning products out of reach and sight.
Your garden: a safe sanctuary
Store equipment such as the lawnmower, hedge trimmer or other power tools, in a dry, safe place and check that the item hasn’t been damaged or affected by water before using it.
When using electrical equipment in the garden, check the socket you are using has been fitted with a residual current device (RCD). If you don’t have one built into your fuse box, you should use a plug-in RCD.
Never use the lawnmower, hedge trimmer, strimmer or other power tools in wet conditions.
Frequently check for damaged lights, extension leads, cables or connections used in the garden.
Have outdoor mains supplied garden lighting, speakers and outdoor TVs installed by a registered electrician in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).
