Safety

PAT testing, also known as Portable Appliance Testing, is paramount to ensure health and safety is kept to a high standard. When buying appliances in store, its important you check it has a valid PAT verification on it to prove it has passed its test and meets all the legal safety requirements.

When using kitchen appliances, the manual and safety instructions should always be read beforehand so that it does not pose a risk of fire or injury. Devices which are old or badly wired can be a real danger. There are various signs to look out for to ensure your household stays safe. If something needs fixing, do so immediately.

Hot plugs or sockets, scorch marks, fuses that blow regularly, and flicking lights, are all signs of loose wiring, or other possible electrical faults. Badly wired plugs can be spotted if there are any coloured wires sticking out as they could come loose or dirt may enter the plug. Overloaded sockets can be very dangerous as well, because plugging too many appliances into one can lead to overheating. Limit the amount of devices you use at any one time, and unplug them after they are no longer needed. It’s a good idea to keep all sockets switched off when not in use, especially if there are children around. Plus this also saves electricity.

Cables and leads can also cause a risk, for example if they are frayed, or damaged in any other way, they may need to be replaced so that the outer layer is in good condition and covers all power leads. Leads should not be trailing where people can trip over them, or in a close proximity to water, cookers or other sources of heat. Do not run them under mats or carpets, as they can wear through without being noticed.

Never get electrical appliances wet, including the plugs and sockets, and don’t leave them switched on during the night as they may overheat and cause a fire, unless of course they are designed for 24 hour use such as a freezer. Its extremely important you do not place anything metal within a microwave, including tin foil, as this will cause it to blow up.