Many of us are so accustomed to our home appliances that we rarely give a second thought to the safety of these appliances. Have you checked the back of the refrigerator lately? Are the electrical cords for the kitchen counter mini-oven in good working condition? Or is it time for a replacement cord?
If safety of your home appliances is 
something you haven’t thought about in a year or more, then it’s time to give them a checkup. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that US homeowners should inspect ALL of their electrical products in the house connected to electrical outlets every six months, or twice a year.
We’ve put together a checklist below so you can have a handy guide to doing a kitchen electrical inspection for any possible electrical or safety issues. You can do this throughout the house on a room-by-room basis, but let’s focus on where a majority of appliances stay, especially those that might one day need appliance replacement parts.
In The Kitchen
Most major appliance makers recommend that you unplug your counter top appliances when not in use. Not only does it save on residual energy costs for your home, it virtually eliminates any chance of a counter-top fire in your kitchen.
Other small electrical appliances like portable heaters and fans in kitchen areas can also be a source for electrical fires. Check the electrical cords on these small appliances. Ensure that the appliance cords are not in side-by-side contact with a gas flame or a hot surface on a stove, range burner, toaster oven, or other appliance. Plus, always remember to use twist ties or similar gadget to link your electrical cords away from any hot surface.
Safety with Water
We use our kitchen sink areas quite frequently, so it’s common sense to keep electrical appliances away from any running water from the spout, or pooled water on the counter. It’s important to remove appliances away from any water areas near electrical outlets. Contact with both at the same time can create an electrical short in a refrigerator or range-stove appliance.
Electrical Shock
If you have larger kitchen appliances that give off a shock when touched, then there is a fault or a short in the electrical wiring. In these cases, calling in an experienced electrician is probably the best first step to take. If it’s a faulty internal electric issue, an electrician should have the tools to check it, before any sparks fly and cause a kitchen fire.
Staying safe around the kitchen is a good rule of thumb. If you can prevent any damage to your appliances in the kitchen (and other rooms), you’re likely to have longer-lasting appliances. If you’ve had an accident with a home appliance and need a replacement fuse, cord or filter, look to Appliance Parts Company.
We operate 13 U.S. locations in Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Utah, and have been in the appliance parts business since 1966. All our locations offer in-store counter sales, and we take orders online, phone and even fax! Appliance Parts Company ships across the U.S. within 24 hours from time of order (some conditions apply). We represent and carry parts for the major appliance brands. Find us at http:/./www.appliancepartscompany.com
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