How to Safely Shred Important Papers

Identity theft is on the rise and now it's not just the upper-class who are being targeted, it's the average American. It's more important than ever not to leave anything to chance and begin to use a paper shredder. Although shredders can be dangerous, there are safety precautions that can be taken to ensure that the only things made into confetti are documents intended for the shredder.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Plug in the shredder. Since there have been numerous stories of people getting hands or even ties or hair caught in a shredder, having to plug it in for each use may be a minor inconvenience but gets major safety stars.

2. Tie back and secure any loose clothing, neckties, hair or anything else that may get caught in the shredder, including gloves. Always make sure to keep fingers a safe distance from the shredder.

3. Remove any paperclips, staples or anything else that the manufacturer warns against. These will get caught in the blades and could cause the machine to stall and overheat.

4. Be patient. It may feed slowly depending on the amount of papers you are destroying. Once you are ready, begin feeding the paper into the shredder slot. And wait for the machine to stop.

5. Unplug the machine when you are finished. Make sure the cord is not accessible to small children.

6. Empty the waste container when needed, only after unplugging.

Tips & Warnings

• If your shredder has stalled and possibly overheated, unplug the machine and let it sit for several minutes.
• Children and pets are most at risk of being injured by a paper shredder. Anytime the shredder is not in use, it should be unplugged and never left on auto.