Now that the colder months are upon us, the use of portable appliances will become more and more frequent as we deal with the changing weather conditions. No matter what type of appliance you’re using to cope with this winter season, you need to make sure it is safe. Check out our portable appliance safety tips now.
What is a portable appliance?
A portable appliance is a type of electrical equipment that can be plugged in and easily transported around the space – as apposed to fixed appliances (like fridges/washing machines/etc.). Popular winter appliances include heaters, dehumidifiers, heated clothing racks, and cooking equipment.
Winter Portable Appliance Safety
Here are some important things to consider if you are using the following appliances in your home or workspace.
HEATERS
Whenever you use a portable heater, make sure it is plugged directly into the wall outlet. This will reduce the chances of the circuits overheating and causing a fire. If you have to use a power board or extension cord, make sure that the maximum current rating matches that of your appliance. You can find out more information here.
Whether you’re using an oil, fan, or ceramic heater, make sure it is placed far away from any flammable materials and switched off when you are not in the room. If you are using a portable heater at home, don’t sleep with it on.
DEHUMIDIFIERS
When it comes to portable appliance safety, the dehumidifier has some appliance specific rules. Dehumidifiers are really popular over winter in businesses and homes to reduce the amount of water in the air. This can help prevent mould and assist with the care of people with asthma. Your dehumidifier will come with specific safety instructions and it is highly important that you follow those. Here are some of the general rules when it comes to dehumidifiers:
- empty all of the water before transporting the device
- Regularly remove and wash components
- check the plug for burn marks and turn your appliance off if it is overheating
- register your appliance to receive updates on product recalls
- do not run your dehumidifier when you aren’t in the building
KETTLES
If you’re finding that you’ve been using your kettle more frequently over the winter months, just be careful that it has not suffered wear and tear from overuse. If you can see any visual damage to the cord (or if your kettle frequently trips the RCD) it is not safe to use and you should replace it immediately.
If you own or operate a business that uses portable equipment, please contact us today. We can make sure your business is on top of winter portable appliance safety by inspecting your equipment for damage. When it comes to safety, you can’t be too careful. Call now on 131 546 for a free quote.
