Safe operation of electric heaters

One of the main causes of fires during the autumn-winter period is the violation of fire safety rules when operating electric heaters, which many people use to create comfort in their homes. However, not everyone considers that any electric heating equipment is a potentially dangerous source of ignition and fires.

Every year, faulty, homemade, and unattended electric heaters cause fires that, in a matter of minutes, destroy all property accumulated over years; sometimes, people die in such fires. To avoid tragic consequences, certain rules must be followed when operating them.

A household electric "heat generator" must be certified. Similarly, repairs to the device should be carried out by specialists. They must replace broken parts and plugs. Electric heating devices with damaged wires pose a particular danger.

How to use an electric heater?

Before using the appliance, read the instructions carefully. Pay special attention to the operating time of the appliance and the requirements for the permissible current. Remember that if you connect a computer, heater, and vacuum cleaner to one outlet at once, the load may be too much for the network. This is especially true for old houses with dilapidated wiring. If the lighting dims slightly when a particular electrical appliance is switched on, it is a sure sign that the network is overloaded. And this is a precursor to fire.

Remember that heaters are primarily electrical appliances. Therefore, do not leave them unattended. Under no circumstances should you leave the heater on overnight. Do not dry clothes on heaters.

Like any other electrical appliance, it must be installed at a safe distance from curtains and furniture.

Do not use heaters in a room where paints, varnishes, solvents, or other flammable liquids have recently been used or are present.

Do not allow children to play with such devices.

What to do if an electrical appliance catches fire?

Unplug the appliance from the socket; if this is not possible, de-energize the apartment via the electrical panel on the stairwell.

Try to extinguish the fire yourself before the rescuers arrive (if the flame is small and your life and health are not threatened) - cover the burning appliance with a thick cloth or blanket - this will cut off the air supply to the fire, or try to smother the flame with sand, earth, powder,

If you cannot extinguish the fire within a few minutes, do not waste any more time and call rescuers at 101.

Then act as you would in any fire.

How to use electrical appliances and not burn down your apartment

Let's imagine life without the things we are so used to. Life without a TV playing in the background in the evenings. No microwave oven to heat food with a single button press. You can also forget about the washing machine that saves precious time and remaining energy after a work week. The refrigerator, mobile phone, and computer have also vanished into oblivion. Sounds like a dystopia, doesn't it? Most people probably wouldn't even want to imagine such a tragic situation or would fall into hysterics.

Convenient and practical electrical appliances in modern life make our lives much simpler and more comfortable. But another question arises - the safe use of these devices. They can not only help us but also, in case of unscrupulous handling, ruin our lives. Reading instructions and unplugging appliances from the network is unfashionable in the 21st century and is considered a waste of time.

"A fire will happen anywhere but not at my place." Some people choose to save money on their health, on quality electrical appliances, and are willing to live in houses where the electrical wiring has long endured a harsh test of time. They do not know or do not want to know the basic safety rules when using electrical equipment. The result is the same - for "maybe," they spend their accumulated money not on a summer resort but on repairing an apartment or house. And they will be very lucky if the tragedy only brings housing troubles.

To make your everyday life not only comfortable but also safe, we tell you about important rules that must be observed when using equipment.

Make it a habit to unplug electrical appliances from the network.

It's so convenient to come home, grab the remote, and turn on the TV with one click, and at the same time, easily put your phone on charge. This situation can continue constantly: for days and even years. In non-working but plugged-in electrical appliances, many components are under voltage, and they can catch fire at any moment due to overheating or short circuits.

Technology does not last for centuries.

A popular "life hack": we send old technology to the dacha. Surely many people don't even realize it, but it has a service life. How durable your device is can be found in the instructions, which you will probably have to look for among other dusty things on the balcony. It's better not to open Pandora's box: sometimes old things need to be retired.

Overloading the electrical network is not the best solution.

We plugged everything we could into one unfortunate extension cord: a computer, a TV, a heater, and on New Year's Eve, we also decorated the apartment with garlands. Comfort and a warm atmosphere are guaranteed, but when something suddenly catches fire in the house, you shouldn't be surprised.

Excessive load on the electrical network can lead to malfunctions of equipment, and a very unpleasant situation can occur - a fire in the room. Remember: the fewer electrical appliances operating simultaneously, the safer it is.

And a few more non-obvious rules that must be observed:

1) The iron should be placed only on a non-combustible surface;

2) Use surge protectors to avoid fire due to voltage fluctuations in the network;

3) Forget about old-style electric stoves and heaters (with an open coil);

4) Regularly remove dust from the back wall of the refrigerator;

5) It is better to place electrical appliances away from flammable materials.

Be vigilant and responsible. Even if you bought a modern electrical appliance, it does not mean that it is completely safe. "If you don't watch it with your eye, you'll pay with your side" - remember this proverb every time you use electrical appliances.