Chances are, you've got dozens of appliances scattered around your home. Each of these devices carries a fire safety risk.

Here are some tips for using appliances safely.

Appliance

• Turn off appliances when not in use. If practical, unplug them at the wall as well.
• Keep all electrical appliances away from water.
• When buying second hand appliances, ensure they've been tested by a licensed electrician or gas fitter, and have been certified as safe.
• Do not place fans, heaters, televisions or other electrical equipment in areas without good airflow, as they may overheat.
• If you're worried about the conditions of any appliances (like electric blankets, heaters, air conditioners or fans), have them checked by a qualified electrician.

Leads and cords

• Don't overload multi-boards. At most, plug in one appliance per wall or multi-board socket.
• Never plug an adaptor or multi-board into another adaptor or multi-board.
• Make sure leads and cords are in good condition and not frayed.
• Never put extension cords under carpets or mats, and avoid using them while they are tightly coiled.
• Ensure furniture does not rest on top of electrical leads.
• Remember that extension cords are not designed to be permanent replacements to your home's internal wiring.

Laundry

• Remove lint from the clothes dryer filter after each use. Static electricity and build up of heat can cause dust, lint and chemical residue on clothing to catch fire.
• Ensure the dryer goes through the full cycle, including cool down, before you open it.
• Ensure there's proper ventilation and air space around the clothes dryer.
• Don't install a smoke alarm in your laundry as you might get false alarms. Try a heat alarm instead. For more information, take a look at our smoke alarm guide.

Want to make sure your home is fire safe? Use our fire safety checklist to find anything that might be putting you at risk.