Although they have improved convenience, certain home appliances carry unintended risks. Burns are one of the most frequent hazards and can occur at any time. Some home appliances may easily cause mishaps, whether you’re multitasking or hurrying through your everyday tasks.

Electric injury deaths are common, accounting for 1000 annual deaths and a 3–15% mortality rate in the US. Burns such as contact, flash, and electric current burns are the most common outcome of these accidents. Besides electric appliance burns, there are also other home and kitchen appliances that can result in unintentional burns.

Let’s look at some common household gadgets that may accidentally burn you and offer safety tips.

1. Stove and Oven

When it comes to house burns, the stove and oven are two of the most obvious offenders. The high temperatures needed for cooking, whether you’re using an electric or gas stove, might seriously injure you if you’re not careful. It’s simple to unintentionally touch a hot burner or brush up against a heated oven door.

The surface and surrounding area may stay hot for many minutes even after they have been turned off. This poses a danger of burns if you’re not paying attention.

Use oven mitts or potholders at all times to minimize the risk of burns. You should also pay attention to where your hands are while cleaning or cooking near this equipment.

Besides burns, stoves can also be associated with other health problems like asthma, especially gas stoves. Since electric stoves don’t release nitrogen dioxide, they are a safer option than gas burners. Its usage is thought—and in some cases, proven—to help reduce asthma symptoms in homes.

1. Pressure Cooker

While pressure cookers are a great tool for accelerating cooking times, improper usage can result in serious burns. Consider the example of Instant Pot, which is a type of electronic pressure cooker at its core.

As stated by TorHoerman Law, these devices work by trapping steam within. This helps them generate tremendous pressure and temperature that is used to cook food quickly. The steam discharge from an incorrectly opened lid might result in serious burns. In fact, they may even explode sometimes, causing the content within to spill on your body and lead to severe burns.

For instance, one recent lawsuit has been filed by Darryl Doss against Instant Pot manufacturers. The lawsuit alleges that Instant Pot’s defective safety features led to an explosion. He says that he thought the pressure in the pot would have been released after some cooking and tried to open the lid. However, the pressure was still there, and the hot content of the cooker spilled on him.

Generally, you would think that this was Darryl’s fault. However, that’s not the case because Instant Pot’s safety measures should have prevented the lid from opening if the pressure was still there. Darryl’s case has been added to many such Instant Pot explosion lawsuits that have been filed against the manufacturers. In fact, manufacturers have even filed for bankruptcy to compensate for lawsuits, among other reasons.

1. Iron

Irons, which are sometimes disregarded when considering burn hazards, can swiftly result in harm because of their high temperatures. A lot of people leave their irons on surfaces where someone may get burnt or contact the soleplate by accident when ironing. A momentary distraction, such as looking away to pick up the phone or grab some clothing, might easily result in an injury.

To prevent iron burns, you should always be cautious that it does not come in contact with your skin. Additionally, you should unplug the iron when not in use. Make sure it’s positioned on a sturdy surface far from the edge of worktops or tables to avoid mishaps.

1. Curling Irons and Hair Straighteners

Hair straighteners and curling irons are typical household appliances used by many individuals, especially women. According to Future Market Insights data, the global curling irons market was worth 42,471.5 million in 2023. However, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% by 2033 to reach $4,918.2 million. This high market value shows how common these appliances are worldwide.

When styling hair, these appliances reach extremely high temperatures, and it’s easy to forget that they stay hot even after usage. Inadvertent skin contact, particularly on the face and neck, can result in excruciating burns. It might also be risky to leave them alone or close to combustible objects. When using these instruments, always switch them off right away and store them somewhere secure where they won’t be touched while still hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do electrical appliances burn?

It happens as a result of ignitions from electrical equipment, wiring, or components that are damaged, overheated, or malfunctioning. This fire can spread quickly and do significant harm to people and property, endangering the safety of residential, commercial, and industrial environments.

Can a stove cause an electrical fire?

Any electrical item that has the potential to overheat, including toasters, toaster ovens, and gas and electric stoves, can catch fire. Stoves can cause fire by burning a nearby item or an electric short circuit (in the case of an electric stove). Make sure you use your equipment in accordance with the instructions.

How to stop an electrical fire?

An electrical fire should never be put out with water. Instead, the flames should be put out with baking soda or a fire extinguisher designed for electrical fires. To avoid electric shock, you must also cut off the power source and keep your hands away from the equipment or appliance.

It is important to exercise caution regarding the possible burn dangers associated with common household equipment. Despite the fact that they are meant to make our lives simpler, mishandling or a little moment of distraction can result in horrific mishaps. Everyone may feel comfortable in your house as long as you are aware of these threats and adhere to basic safety precautions.