Pay attention to electrical appliances

Modern residential buildings and apartments are filled with a variety of useful electrical appliances. However, if handled clumsily or carelessly, electrical appliances can become a source of trouble. 

To protect yourself and your loved ones from the risk of fire due to electrical appliances, it is necessary to take preventive measures aimed at increasing fire safety:

- before using an electrical appliance, carefully read the operating instructions;

- regularly remove dust from the back of the refrigerator;

- to prevent electrical appliances from igniting due to voltage spikes and fluctuations in the network, use power strips;

- place heating appliances, including irons and electric stoves, on non-combustible surfaces.

When operating electrical equipment, it is prohibited to:

- overload the electrical network. The fewer electrical appliances are working at the same time, the safer it is;

- use non-factory (homemade) protection (wire twists, "bugs") instead of automatic circuit breakers and calibrated fuses to protect electrical networks;

- operate wires and cables with damaged or lost protective insulation;

- use homemade heating appliances for heating, drying, and cooking;

- place flammable materials near electrical appliances (televisions, refrigerators, heaters, etc.);

- leave plugged-in electrical appliances unattended;

- monitor the use of electrical appliances by minors.

Remember that the service life and maintenance of the electrical appliance are specified by the manufacturer in the attached operating instructions. Operating electrical appliances beyond their service life increases the likelihood of fire.

What to do if an electrical appliance catches fire?  

Unplug the device from the outlet; if that is not possible, turn off the power to the apartment through the electrical panel in the stairwell.

Call the emergency services at "101" or "112". Try to extinguish the fire yourself before the arrival of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (if the flame is small and your life and health are not in danger) -  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 flames with sand, dirt, or laundry detergent.