Safe operation of electric heating appliances

One of the main causes of fires in the autumn-winter period is the violation of fire safety rules when operating electric heaters, which many people use to create comfort in their homes. However, not everyone realizes that any electric heating equipment is a potentially dangerous source of ignition and fire.

Every year, faulty, homemade, and unattended electric heaters cause fires that destroy years of accumulated property in minutes, and sometimes people die in such fires. To avoid tragic consequences, certain rules must be followed during their operation.

A domestic electric "heat generator" must be certified. Similarly, repairs to the appliance should be carried out by specialists. They should replace broken parts and plugs. Electric heating appliances with damaged wires pose a particular danger.

How to use an electric heater?

Before using the appliance, read the instructions carefully. Pay particular attention to the operating time of the appliance and the requirements for the permissible current. Remember that connecting a computer, heater, and vacuum cleaner to the same socket simultaneously can overload the network. This is especially true for older houses with worn-out electrical wiring. If the lights dim slightly when you turn on an electrical appliance, it is a sure sign that the network is overloaded. This is a precursor to a fire.

Remember that heaters are, first and foremost, electrical appliances. Therefore, do not leave them unattended when switched on. Never leave a heater on overnight. Do not dry clothes on heaters.

Like any other electrical appliance, it must be placed at a safe distance from curtains and furniture.

Do not use heaters in rooms where paint, solvents, or other flammable liquids have recently been used or are present.

Do not allow children to play with such devices.

What to do if an electrical appliance catches fire?

Unplug the device from the socket. If this is not possible, disconnect the power to the apartment via the electrical panel in the stairwell.

Try to deal with the fire yourself before the rescuers arrive (if the flame is small and your life and health are not threatened) - cover the burning appliance with a dense cloth or blanket to cut off the air supply to the fire, or try to extinguish the flame with sand, soil, or powder.

If you cannot extinguish the fire within a few minutes, do not waste any more time and call the rescuers at phone number 101.

Then act as you would in any fire.

How to use electrical appliances and not burn down your apartment

Let's imagine life without the things we are so used to. Life without a television playing in the background in the evenings. No microwave that allows you to heat food with one button press. You can also forget about the washing machine that saves precious time and the rest of your energy after a working week. The refrigerator, mobile phone, and computer have also vanished into thin air. Sounds like a dystopia, doesn't it? Most people would probably not even want to imagine such a tragic situation or would fall into hysterics.

Convenient and practical electrical appliances make our lives much easier and more comfortable in modern life. But another question arises – the safe use of these devices. They can not only help us but also, if handled improperly, ruin our lives. Reading instructions and unplugging appliances from the mains is not fashionable in the 21st century and is considered a waste of time.

"A fire will happen anywhere, but not to me." Some people are willing to save money on their health, on quality electrical appliances, and are ready to live in houses where the electrical wiring has long since endured the harsh test of time. They do not know or do not want to know the basic safety rules for using electrical equipment. The result is the same – for the sake of "it might be alright," they spend their accumulated money not on a summer resort, but on repairing their apartment or house. And they will be very lucky if the tragedy only brings housing troubles.

To ensure your weekdays are not only comfortable but also safe, we will tell you about the important rules that must be followed when using appliances.

Get into the habit of unplugging electrical appliances from the mains

It is so convenient to come home, pick up the remote control, and turn on

a television, and at the same time, with a light movement of the hand, place your phone on charge. This situation can continue indefinitely: for days and even years. In non-operating, but plugged-in electrical appliances, many components are under voltage, and due to overheating or short circuits, they can catch fire at any moment.

Appliances do not last forever

A popular "life hack": we send old appliances to the dacha. Surely many do not even realise, but they have a service life. How long your device is durable can be found in the instruction manual, which you will probably have to search for among other dusty items in the balcony. It is best not to open Pandora's box: sometimes old things are ready for retirement.

Overloading the electrical grid is not the best solution

We plugged everything we could into one extension cord: a computer, a television, a heater, and at New Year's, we also decorated the apartment with garlands. Cosiness and a warm atmosphere are guaranteed, but when something suddenly catches fire in the house, there is no need to be surprised.

Excessive load on the electrical grid can lead to malfunctions of appliances, or a completely unpleasant situation may occur – a fire in the premises. Remember: the fewer electrical appliances operating simultaneously, the safer it is.

And here are a few more non-obvious rules that must be observed:

1) The iron should only be placed on a non-combustible surface;

2) Use surge protectors to prevent fires due to voltage surges in the network;

3) Forget about old electric stoves and heaters (with an open heating element);

4) Regularly remove dust from the back of the refrigerator;

5) It is better to place electrical appliances away from flammable materials.

Be vigilant and responsible. Even if you have purchased a modern electrical appliance, it does not mean that it is completely safe. "If you don't watch closely, you'll pay dearly" – remember this proverb every time you use electrical appliances.