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THE HILLS Saturday August 1990 Page Wise use of electrical appliances advised Modern electrical appliances may be convenient but they re far from infallible when it comes to safety Appliances have become increasing ly efficient and sophisticated yet even today high tech equipment poses threats to consumers who don exercise caution For instance the automatic shut off feature is standard on some irons and electric kettles How many customers worry about its ty Not enough maintains Don Grant A claims adjuster for Wellington Insurance in Halifax Don relates the story of who a mid morning at her office to in form her of a fire in her home The culprit A malfunctioning automatic shut off feature While there were no injuries in this case there was considerable and costly smoke damage I make it a personal habit to unplug all ap pliances that aren used on a con tmuous basis says Don No tncal appliance is perfect A healthy dose of scepticism and practical preventative measures can save lives and money That goes for stoves in particular which usually operate on 240 volts of electricity Keep your stove clean and don t try to avoid cleaning by us ing aluminum foil to line the oven and burner pans The foil trates and reflects the heat changes Use soapy prevent B Faced with a reported tally of propane barbecue fires in Ontario last summer experts are suggesting a soapy solution to cut the risks for backyard chefs The majonty of incidents ed a leak of some kind and could have been prevented with a simple check using a water tion says Bob head of Fuels Safety Branch for the Ontano Ministry of Consumer and Commer Relations MCCR Whenever a tank of propane is reattached to a barbecue the fuel delivery system should be checked for leaks says Mix enough liquid soap with water to make bubbles then brush the tton over all connections and hoses Turn on the gas at the tank made sure the burner is turned off and watch for bubbles Worn 0 rings at the tank connection are a frequent cause of leaks Keep a jar of the solution with the rest of your barbecue gear If it handy you be more likely to do the check every time and that habit could save you from serious injury Burners on barbecues that haven t been used recently should be clean out using a flexible brush Ac cording to insects such as earwigs and spiders like to nest in the tubes inside burners clog the system When burners ire blocked gas can back up and cause fire at the the air flow collects fat and grease in pockets and if it touches the wires can cause a short all of which can lead to a fire In the laundry room Don notes the importance of regularly clearing the lint from the dryer vents Dips and sags in the pipe that vents tht hot air outside trap lint which has been responsible for fatal fires While you re at it Don suggests checking on the condition of water hoses or better yet turning off the water taps each time the washing machine is used hoses to deteriorate after of use he says recalling the extensile damage to furniture rugs and baseboards a burst washing host in a home where the machine was on the floor Other common appliance hazards are often related to misuse Coffee makers are a good example Equipment designed to be used two or three times a day in the home can t take the pressure of a con usage in an office or showroom Don confirms explain that thermostats give out and in crease the chance of a fire Similar blow dryers are not designed to defrost freezers or dry ski boots The combination of electricity and water is always dangerous and sometimes deadly This month Canadian Consumer The Radio Edition devotes one of solution to BQ fires control panel Improper lighting practices are another concern for Clendimng department and fire safety officials province wide Never light a propane barbecue with lid closed The gas may build up in side the closed unit When lit it can cause an explosion powerful enough to blow the lid off and could cause personal injury says Once lit a barbecue should be closely particular during the first few minutes to ensure it bur ning properly If the flame goes out or is not lit he says your barbecue will sit there spewing out propane gas Any spark could cause an explosion A pamphlet on pro pane barbecues produced b the consumer ministry contains a number of additional safety tips Store propane cylinders away from all building openings and sources of ignition always ensure the tanks are fit ted with plastic plugs to guard leaks when not muse never transport in a closed trunk or in the car with the windows up Evert if vou think the link is empty secure it upright in the trunk with the lid propped open never store a propane inside or more information copes of brochure Living Safely with Propane be obtained from the Consumer In formation Centre at 555 Yonge St Toronto its daily broadcasts to electrical ap pliances with safety tips provided by the Canada Safety Council and sponsored by Wellington Insurance Exercise caution when buying used appliances warns the Safety Coun They may not have been tested according to modern safety and should be checked out by a repair shop or factory authorized repair depot More information in living with your electrical appliances is available from Wellington In brokers or your provincial safety council IPS OR IWCF LSI Do not use two or more heating Clean Up Vour Act PitchIn appliances on the same circuit Watch for signs of overheating such as a burning odour or a hot outlet plug It may be a sign that the thermostat is detenorating or fail ing altogether Unplug all small appliances when not in use and supervise them when they are operating Use appliances only for what they were designed following the manufacturer s instructions Clean grease from oven stove tops and walls on a regular basis Grease and fat fires are a leading cause of domestic fires so keep a multi purpose dry chemical ex type ABC on the kitchen wall In a readily accessible location Never try to repair or tinker with an appliance when it is plugged in Better yet take it to a Service outlet authorized by the manufacturer or return it to the manufacturer for vicing Do not use second hand ap pliances wjthout first having them checked for wear or breakdown of safety features such as insulation and thermostats Never saw or knock off the ground pin on a threepronged plug The ground drains electricity which leaks to the metal frame If there is no ground wire the first person to touch it becomes the ground REALTORS Need Buyers for your Homes Our HOMESTYLE Real Estate Guide reaches over homes every week including Georgetown Acton Erin and the surrounding rural communities EXCEPTIONAL RATES SUPERIOR SERVICE GIVE US A TRY Call Kim Haryott at 8772201