How To Stay Safe With Electricity In The Kitchen

Over half of all unintentional house fires originate in the kitchen. Government data indicates that the highest number of accidental fires caused by electricity at home are due to inappropriate use of electrical cooking appliances, such as microwaves and ovens. Exercising extra caution when using electrical appliances is crucial. The combination of water, hot surfaces, flexible cables, and electricity can pose severe risks. In this blog post we'll go through some tips to stay safe with electricity in the kitchen.

Sockets and switches

• To prevent water from reaching electricity, ensure your sockets or switches are installed a safe distance (minimum 30cm horizontally) away from the sink.
• If appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines are installed under countertops, accessing sockets might be challenging. Preferably, these devices should be regulated by a switched fuse connection unit positioned above the countertop where it's easily reachable.
• If a socket in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house is likely to be used to power portable equipment outdoors, it should be safeguarded by an RCD.
• Never operate switches or any electrical equipment with wet hands.

Simple tips for kitchen safety

• Avoid leaving electrical appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines unattended while running
• Refrain from wrapping flexible cables around equipment that is still warm after use, like hand blenders or Foreman grills.
• Inspect flexible cords and appliances like kettles and toasters to ensure they're in good condition
• Never attempt to clean or fix an appliance while it's still plugged in
• Don't try to remove stuck toast from a toaster while it's plugged in, especially not with a metal knife since live parts are often inside
• Regularly clean your oven and grill thoroughly - accumulated fat and grease are leading causes of fires
• Ensure your plug sockets aren't overloaded with too many electrical devices as this can result in overheating
• Avoid placing objects atop appliances like microwaves, which can obstruct ventilation
• Defrost your fridge and freezer at least once a year to guarantee these appliances continue to function correctly
• Ensure you have a functioning smoke detector in case an issue arises.