Uncommon Appliances That Can Be A Huge Fire Risk!

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

When we think about house fires being started by appliances, we think about toasters, stoves, and lamps, things like that. What most of us don’t think about is the uncommon appliances that are actually huge fire hazards.

1: Dishwashers

-dishwashers can be a huge fire hazard. We don’t usually associate fire with washing things, because water in a fire deterrent. But dishwashers having heating elements, and the heating elements are very powerful. I’m sure you have noticed the extremes heat that comes out of the dishwasher when a cycle just finishes drying. Well, that’s the heating element working hard to make the interior of the dishwasher so hot that the water all evaporates from your dishes and pans.

(Safety tip: never turn the dishwasher on…and then leave the house).

2: Refrigerators

-refrigerators again are not an appliance we would normally associate with fires, but they can be extremely hazardous and fire prone under the right circumstances. Refrigerators have a compressor, and as long as that compressor is working properly all is well. It’s when the fridge raptor compressor overheats that it becomes a fire hazard. Also, refrigerators use lots of electricity, and an electrical short can also spark a fire quickly.

(Safety tip: If you notice a light bulb that never turns off, take it out of the fridge to prevent it from getting too hot until you have the problem fixed. Refrigerator lights aren’t meant to stay on for hours and hours straight like regular bulbs.

No matter the appliance, it’s always good to regularly check the wiring and take note if an appliance shows signs that something is wrong, lights flickering, or much noisier than normal when operating. The heavy hitters when it comes to appliances are also the ones we already know and expect: Stove, Toaster Oven, Dryer, and Microwave.