In the days of ringer washers, old iceboxes and wood-burning cookstoves, common household chores carried more risk than they do in this era of modern appliances designed to adhere to strict government regulations, high industry standards and consumer-safety precautions. Nevertheless, because appliances are integral to a house’s mechanical systems -- electrical, gas, plumbing and ventilation -- the care with which you maintain and use them affects the health of your house and your family’s safety as well as the machines’ performance and longevity. To get the most out of your appliances and safeguard your home, follow these guidelines:
Ventilation and combustion (dryers, water heaters, ranges and cooktops)
• Clean the clothes dryer’s lint filter before or after each load. Check behind the dryer for trapped lint. Clear lint from the exterior vent often. Lint buildup results in inefficiency and excessive wear and can even pose a fire hazard. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 15,500 fires each year are associated with clothes dryers.
• Use only metal ducting for gas dryers because they run hotter than electric machines. Rigid rather than accordion-pleated ducting is best for airflow.
• Never vent clothes dryers or water heaters into the house to supplement heating.
Plumbing (washers, refrigerators and water heaters)
• To prevent leaky or bursting waterlines, check washing machine hoses for signs of wear. Consider replacing rubber hoses with newer braided stainless steel hoses.
• Check the screens at either end of the water hoses and remove sediment that may have collected there. This is especially important after road construction or water-main work has been done in your area.
• Periodically check that the washing machine is soundly footed and level so the hoses and the drain hose do not come loose.
• If a dishwasher’s tub doesn’t empty after operation, detach the drain line from the household drain and clean any debris from the line.
Gas (dryers, ranges and water heaters)
• Never use an oven as a room heater -- combustion pollutants resulting from fuel-burning appliances can cause illness or death. Have gas appliances serviced periodically to ensure they burn with the proper mix of air and fuel.
• Be sure all vented appliances are checked for backdrafting. (This is one reason that it’s important for a city building official to inspect newly installed vented appliances.)
Electric
• Diehard DIYers may bristle at this warning from the CPSC -- nonetheless, it’s a lifesaver. Never attempt to repair a microwave oven -- because they use high-voltage power, they can pose a risk of electrical shock even after they are disconnected from the power source.
• Use dedicated circuits for large appliances such as washers and dryers.
• Keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces.
For additional information about appliance care and safety, consult the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s Web site and visit www.cpsc.gov.