Appliance Safety

Potential fire dangers also lurk in large and small appliances - even when they're not in use.

• Clean lint from dryer vent ducts twice a year and from the filter after each cycle.
• When purchasing a gas oven, choose a model that offers a re-ignition feature.
• Don't use a stovetop as extra counter space.
• Keep all cooking appliances clean and free of excess crumbs.  Even self-cleaning ovens require wiping before beginning the cleaning cycle.  Anytime there is food at the bottom of a cooking appliance wipe it up because it could ignite at anytime.
• Unplug toasters, toaster-ovens and coffemakers when not in use.
• Clean refrigerator coils on a regular basis.  Use a long thin brush that is 12-16 inches in length and dust between each coil very carefully.
• Unplug electric blankets between uses.