| These days, we seem to own plenty of home | | | | towels and pot holders. And NEVER walk away |
| appliances that are supposed to reduce our | | | | from pan of oil heating on a stove. Most home |
| workloads and make life easier and simpler. But | | | | fires are due to cooking, and most fires occur |
| with those work-saving appliances come some | | | | between 5-7 am and 5-7 pm. |
| hidden risks that could cause losses that cost us | | | | If you have a cooktop fire, don't move the pan! |
| our homes, our contents, and our peace of mind. | | | | Place the pan lid on the pan to smother the fire, |
| Here is a list of home appliances and the built-in | | | | or use a fire extinguisher. Never try to extinguish |
| hazards that you can easily prevent: | | | | a grease fire with water. |
| 1. Dishwasher: Has an average life expectancy of | | | | 7. Electric stove: Has an average life expectancy |
| 9 years. Make sure the door seals work properly | | | | of 13 years. Have a burner or oven element that |
| to prevent water leaks. If it won't drain properly, | | | | malfunctions or burns out? Replace it right away. |
| check the garbage disposal to see if it's clear. | | | | Also, make sure you clean up spills inside the oven |
| Water leaks from dishwashers regularly cause | | | | which can generate smoke and start a fire. |
| water damage in kitchens. If the leak is sudden, | | | | 8. Refrigerator/freezer: Has an average life |
| you're probably covered. If the leak keeps | | | | expectancy of 15 years. This appliance regularly |
| happening over time, you probably won't be | | | | has an icemaker, which has a plastic water line |
| covered for loss. | | | | that feeds it. These water lines burst frequently, |
| 2. Clothes washer: Has an average life expectancy | | | | and they will pump water out onto the floor until |
| of 10 years. Replace the rubber hoses with | | | | someone discovers it. Replace the plastic |
| flexible stainless steel braided hoses to prevent | | | | icemaker line with a copper line. |
| hose bursts and big water claims. If a hose | | | | 9. Garbage disposal: Has an average life |
| bursts, the water could spray the laundry room | | | | expectancy of 15 years. If it gets blocked, go to |
| until someone finds it, causing a big water loss. | | | | the fusebox and turn off the breaker or fuse |
| 3. Clothes dryer (gas or electric): Has an average | | | | before trying to clear it. Don't ever stick your |
| life expectancy of 10 years. Lint build-up inside | | | | hand down inside a garbage disposal. Replace the |
| dryers causes nearly 4,000 fires each year. Make | | | | rubber drain line with a braided line. |
| sure your dryer hose vents correctly. Replace | | | | 10. Electrical extension cords: Not an appliance, but |
| plastic vent hoses with metal. Clean the lint filter | | | | cause thousands of fires each year. Don't use a |
| after every dryer load. Disconnect the dryer and | | | | frayed cord. Look at the amperage rating on the |
| hose twice a year and sweep out the lint under | | | | cord, and don't plug in stuff that exceeds the |
| and inside the dryer cabinet. You'll be shocked at | | | | rating. If you have a cord that you can't find a |
| how much lint you'll find. | | | | rating on, throw it away. Don't place a cord under |
| 4. Toaster/toaster oven: Has an average life | | | | a rug, carpet or under a piece of furniture. Check |
| expectancy of 5 years. All of these little toasters | | | | ALL of the cords in your home to make sure |
| have a trap door so you can clean them out. | | | | that there is no furniture leg resting on a cord. |
| Crumbs dry out and become very flammable. | | | | Feel cords in use to see if they are warm or hot. |
| Clean out the crumbs to prevent a fire. | | | | If they are, throw them away and get a heavier |
| 5. Microwave: Has an average life expectancy of | | | | cord. Using power strips is safer than cords. |
| 8 years. Never use metal inside a microwave. It | | | | I recommend that if any appliance repairs will cost |
| will start a fire. It will also damage or destroy the | | | | more than half of the price of a new appliance, |
| magnetron that generates the waves. | | | | replace it. |
| 6. Gas Stove/Oven: Has an average life | | | | If you will take care to do these simple tips, you |
| expectancy of 15 years. Got electronic burner | | | | will drastically lessen the chances of having a |
| lighters? If you turn on the burner, and it doesn't | | | | disastrous home fire. But if you do have a home |
| light immediately, turn off the burner. Even three | | | | fire, you will need an expert to help you submit |
| seconds of gas...unlit...can explode when lit. Let the | | | | your claim. Never allow the insurance adjuster to |
| gas dissipate for about 30 seconds before trying | | | | handle your claim on your behalf. Their job is to |
| again. If you have to, dismantle the burner eye | | | | minimize your claim. Your job is to collect every |
| and clean it out. Also, make sure you clean up | | | | penny you are entitled to collect. See the conflict? |
| spills inside the oven which can generate smoke | | | | Get more information about insurance claims |
| and start a fire. You've got a lot of open flame | | | | below. My claims strategies work 100% of the |
| with a gas stove. Watch out for sleeves, dish | | | | time! |