Health Care: Electrical Safety in the Kitchen

Be safe with electricity.

The kitchen is the heart of any home and it's also the place where many accidents occur. Without adequate precautions, kitchens can be hazardous places. Use common sense and educate yourself on possible safety risks in your kitchen, making your home a safer place for you and your family.

Warning

Have repairs done by a licensed repair technician.

Repairing all faulty appliances, like toasters, microwaves and ovens, is a must. Unless you have the experience and confidence, have repairs done by a licensed repair technician. If you want to do the repair, read about what you're repairing and don't hesitate to ask a professional. More than anything else, make sure the power is off before you begin working on the appliance. If you feel the appliance is too old to repair, throw it away. Faulty electrical appliances pose a hazard in your kitchen and can cause serious injury.

Considerations

Make sure the appliance's wiring isn't worn or frayed.

Service and clean all kitchen appliances on a regular basis. You'll find instructions and recommendations in the owners manual. Check the wiring on your appliances to make sure it isn't worn or frayed and that the plug is in good shape. If it seems like an appliance isn't working as good as it should, consult your owners manual or call the store where you bought the appliance. Stop using the appliance until you can get it serviced.

Prevention/Solution

Unplug appliances when not in use.

Make it a habit of unplugging small kitchen appliances after each use, Not only is it safer, but it also saves electricity. Almost 40 percent of electricity is still being used even after appliances are turned off, unless they are unplugged. Be sure to turn off the appliance before unplugging it to further reduce your risk of shock.

Effects

Clean up liquid spills around kitchen appliances.

Water and electricity don't mix, so never touch any appliance with wet hands. Be careful, too, to keep appliances away from all water sources. Any liquid spills should be cleaned up. Make sure you're not standing in water or another liquid when you turn on an appliance on, as water conducts electricity and this can cause you to get shocked.

Don't overload outlets with too many appliances, this will cause an electrical short and, possibly, a shock.

Kid safety

Even at a young age, teach children safety rules for the kitchen.

Never let children play in the kitchen and teach them kitchen safety rules. Children shouldn't be allowed to play with appliances and all electrical outlets should have child-safety plugs.

References

• Electrical safety
• Electrical safety resource

Resources

• Oklahoma State University Environmental Health and Safety training