Cooking a great meal can make your entire home smell wonderful, but it can also wreak havoc on surfaces, cause your kitchen to look worn and dingy and even create heat, fumes, smoke and/or odors that can make you feel unwell. The answer? Proper kitchen ventilation—but before you decide which type is best for your home it is important to learn about the difference between downdraft vs. hood fan ...
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Recent Posts in Home Safety Category
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Kitchen Ventilation | Downdraft vs. Hood Fan
November 13, 2018 -
How to Troubleshoot the 6 Most Common Appliance Problems
August 28, 2018 Not every appliance problem has to come with the hassle and expense of a professional repair. In many cases, the fixes are simple enough to do yourself in just a few minutes. Before you call for help, keep your appliances running smoothly with these tips from our appliance experts. 1. Smelly Washing Machine A bad odor in your washing machine can defeat the purpose of the appliance! If you're ...Continue Reading -
Can I Leave a Chest Freezer Outside?
August 14, 2018 A chest freezer is a great addition to any home and is perfect for large families or anyone who likes to purchase or store food in large quantities. The downside to these handy appliances is their size, and for many, it can be a challenge to determine where to set them up so that they are out of the way, yet easily accessible when needed. While the great outdoors or your garage may seem like great ...Continue Reading -
Be Aware of Safe Meat Temperatures When Grilling
July 17, 2018 Outdoor grilling is America's summer pastime, and indoor grilling is the perfect way to create healthy dishes while changing up your regular menu anytime of the year. On the other hand, it's important to cook all meat to a safe temperature to avoid illnesses. Here's what you need to know about safe meat temperatures for a happy grilling season. Get the Right Equipment An instant-read thermometer ...Continue Reading -
How to Defrost a Freezer
June 19, 2018 Many new freezers have a self-defrost feature to keep icy buildup at bay. But if you have an older appliance, you might need to perform this task manually. Removing ice from the walls of your freezer helps it run more efficiently. It also reclaims precious freezer space, so you have more room for frozen dinners and ice cream. If it’s starting to look like the arctic tundra in there, use these ...Continue Reading -
Why Is My Washing Machine Leaking?
May 15, 2018 Are you concerned about the puddle of water you just found on the laundry room floor? Don’t panic – all you need is to uncover the reason why the washer is leaking and perform the required repair. Many times, a simple DIY fix is all that’s required, though you can always schedule appliance repair with a knowledgeable appliance repair technician. How to Locate the Washing Machine Leak First, make ...Continue Reading -
Top 5 Appliance Safety Tips
April 3, 2018 The appliances in your home make life easier, but if you operate them unsafely, they could pose significant risks. Protect your appliances and make sure they don’t become hazards by following these five appliance safety tips from the experts at Mr. Appliance®. Make sure appliances installed in damp locations are plugged into a GFCI outlet The laundry room, bathroom, kitchen, garage, and outdoor ...Continue Reading -
Safety Guide for Vintage Appliances
March 20, 2018 Lots of homeowners enjoy vintage appliances today not because they can't afford newer ones, but because of the old-fashioned charm they bring to the room. Some people are of the mindset "If it isn't broke don't fix it," which means why replace something that's still working, no matter how old it is. If you love your old stove, refrigerator, blender or toaster because of the character or retro ...Continue Reading -
How to Clean a Dryer Vent
March 13, 2018 A dirty dryer vent will not only cause your clothes to take longer to dry and waste energy, but it can also be a fire hazard , too! Cleaning the removable lint filter before each load is a great way to keep your clothes dryer running great, but you also need to clean the entire vent at least once per year, and more often if you do a lot of laundry. How to Clean a Dryer Vent Before performing ...Continue Reading -
Do Not Attempt to Repair Your Washer Yourself
February 20, 2018 If your washing machine isn’t working right, you may want to try fixing it yourself. However, if you’re still not sure what’s causing the problem after some simple washing machine repair troubleshooting, you should call a professional to prevent risking more damage to your washer. Here are seven of the most common issues you might experience with your washing machine and when to call Mr. ...Continue Reading -
Keep Clutter Off the Top of Your Dryer
January 15, 2018 Few people really consider whether or not they are using their dryer properly. After all, it should be pretty self-evident, right? Make sure the lint trap is clear, then toss your clothes in and turn it on. However, you'd be surprised at how many mistakes people make when using their dryer, mistakes that could result in a possible safety risk. For example, many people place their clothes on top of ...Continue Reading -
The 5 Most Common Oven Issues to Watch Out For
January 2, 2018 Whether you’re cooking dinner for the family on a busy weeknight or planning a fancy home-cooked meal for this weekend’s dinner guests, you don’t have time for oven issues. Here are five of the most common oven issues to watch out for and the steps you can take to troubleshoot them yourself. If you have difficulty getting your oven back up and running, remember to leave trickier repairs to a ...Continue Reading -
Father's Day Gift Guide: All About Grills
June 16, 2017 The smell of hotdogs and burgers fill the air outside as Dad grills up a delicious dinner on a warm night. Man, our mouths sure are watering! If Dad keeps dropping not so subtle hints about wanting a grill and everything that comes with it, you’ve come to the right place to figure out what to buy him. There’s a ton of grills out there and several types, and it can get confusing but we’re here to ...Continue Reading -
Why You Need to Clean the Lint Filter Every Time
February 16, 2017 You’ve heard that you need to clean the dryer lint trap after every load, but is it true? Let’s discuss the reasons to clean the lint filter, how often you should perform this task, and more useful tips. Why Do You Clean a Dryer Lint Filter? When clothing tumbles around in the dryer, the agitation and high heat cause clothing, towels, and linens to shed some of their fibers. The lint screen ...Continue Reading -
Prime Time for a Dryer Vent Fire
February 2, 2017 As cold weather persists this winter, it remains a prime time for a dryer vent fire. To protect your home and family, learn more about what causes dryer fires and how to prevent them. Why Do More Home Fires Occur in Winter? While forest fires occur primarily during the heat of summer, home fires are more prevalent in the cold, dry months of December through March. Here are several winter-related ...Continue Reading -
Keep Everyone Healthy at School
August 16, 2016 It’s hard to believe summer is already over. Now that the kids are headed back school, they’ll come in contact with germs and contagious bugs from their fellow classmates. You can’t control what happens at school, but you can maintain a clean kitchen to help prevent your family from getting sick this school year. Follow these kitchen cleaning tips for a healthier home. Wash Up Every family member ...Continue Reading -
Proper Dryer Cleaning & Fire Prevention
March 21, 2016 by: Steve Bowles, Mr. Appliance Franchise Consultant This blog was contributed by one of our franchise consultants and dryer vent cleaning experts, Steve Bowles. Clothes dryer vent fires are a real risk to home safety and proper inspection and maintenance of your dryer is a necessity. According to recent news reports citing the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are ...Continue Reading -
Warning Signs for Appliances
February 25, 2016 As you go about your day, you rely on home appliances more than you probably realize. Only when something goes wrong do you appreciate how dependent you are on your refrigerator, washer and dryer, hot water heater, dishwasher, and oven. Learn how to tell if you should schedule appliance repair and when to opt for a replacement instead. Signs Your Appliances Need Attention The appliance won’t turn ...Continue Reading -
Kitchen Safety
October 4, 2015 We all have that family favorite go-to meal that we can make blindfolded with one armed tied behind our back. You know the dish…the one that elicits accolades and praise from the family and sends you into a temporary “I could be the next Rachael Ray” euphoria. But it’s in these exact moments when we trust our culinary know-how and we maybe get a little careless in the kitchen. Think about it. You ...Continue Reading -
Labor Day Safety
September 4, 2015 Labor Day is a holiday celebrated in the US on the first Monday in September. The purpose of this federal holiday is to commemorate the American labor movement. That’s the official side of Labor Day, but in reality most associate Labor Day as being summer’s last hoorah. This three-day weekend is a chance for folks to bid farewell to the carefree days of summer and usher in hectic school schedules, ...Continue Reading -
Grilling Do's and Don'ts
July 28, 2015 Don’t you just love spending your summer evenings sitting on the patio, sipping your favorite summertime beverage and enjoying a meal hot off the grill? The entire atmosphere of good friends and good food bolsters a kumbaya-esque kinship for the whole evening. But what if the chicken catches on fire and the hamburger patties are char-grilled into an unrecognizable blob? And all’s fine and dandy ...Continue Reading -
Grill Safety
July 14, 2015 Light up the grill, invite guests over and party on the patio until the sun goes down because summer is here. Grilling is the perfect reason to take any meal outdoors, and almost any food you can think of can be grilled. From pizza to kabobs , you name it…you can grill it. However, grilling can be dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association an average of 8,800 home fires are ...Continue Reading -
Think Safety Before Firing up the Grill | Mr. Appliance
May 24, 2015 Mr. Appliance® has tips to get outdoor appliances ready for summer WACO, Texas (May 24, 2015) – Summer is coming into full swing and the warmer weather means homeowners will be using their grills and outdoor equipment more frequently. The service experts at Mr. Appliance are dedicated to helping people maintain their appliances and get the most use out of them as possible. The appliance service ...Continue Reading -
The Roof Is on Fire: Dryer Vents a Leading Cause of Home Fires
April 8, 2015 WACO, TX – According to the National Fire Protection Agency, each year over 16,000 home fires, resulting in over $230 million in damages, are caused by dirty dryer vents. According to recent studies, nearly 92 percent of all laundry room fires can be traced back to a failure in cleaning either the dryer appliance or its ventilation system. “Dryer vent fires are usually caused by an electrical ...Continue Reading -
Kitchen Safety With Children In Mind
January 27, 2015 Mr. Appliance® gives expert advice on staying safe in the kitchen WACO, Texas, (January 27, 2015) – One of the fondest childhood memories for many people is spending time in the kitchen cooking with their family. Whether sharing family recipes or just decorating cookies for a holiday, the kitchen is a place where families can bond while creating delicious memories. While cooking with children can ...Continue Reading -
S'mores: A Favorite Fireplace Snack
January 13, 2015 Baby, it’s cold outside… Even if it’s cold and gloomy outside, you just can’t beat the warm fuzzies from a crackling fire in the fireplace. But what can make the enchanting moment even better? A fireplace snack! And there’s no snack that can beat a good ol’ fireplace s’more. The ooeyness, the gooeyness, the messiness and the yumminess make a fireplace s’more the best winter snack – ever! S’mores ...Continue Reading -
Child Safety in The Kitchen
November 26, 2014 The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It’s a place where memories and masterpieces are created and cherished. From the recreation of Aunt B’s apple pie that turned out beautifully or the hot mess that should have been Grandma’s creamy mashed potatoes but turned out to be a yellow glob with a near-rubber consistency – memories. Whether you’re handing down secret recipes or ...Continue Reading -
Get the Most Out of the Washer and Dryer
July 30, 2014 Mr. Appliance® has simple tips to maximize the effectiveness of appliances. WACO, Texas, (July 30, 2014) – Owning a washing machine and dryer can be a major convenience when it comes time to do laundry, but without regular maintenance, your machines may not be cleaning as efficiently or as thoroughly as you might think. Mr. Appliance has these simple steps you can take to get the most out of your ...Continue Reading -
5 Tips to Simplify Your Life
June 26, 2014 With the hustle and bustle of each day, our schedules seem to get crazier by the minute. Do this, be there, meet them, pick up that… It seems like we’re on a perpetual merry-go-round that goes faster and faster the more we try to slow it down. When did life get so busy and complicated? And just as we appear to have it all together, the side effects of this overloaded lifestyle creep in: headaches, ...Continue Reading -
Prevent a Washing Machine Hose Disaster
April 29, 2014 By Kellie Pearson When it comes to disastrous water damage in your home, burst washing machine hoses have to be the worst. It’s also generally known as one of the most common complaints insurance companies receive when dealing with flood claims. How can you prevent a burst washing machine hose from happening to you? Know how to spot signs of trouble by looking at the 90-degree turns either coming ...Continue Reading -
World Health Day: 10 Tips for Healthy Living
April 29, 2014 April 7 is globally recognized as World Health Day . The World Health Organization created this day to mark the anniversary of their founding in 1948, as well as to help draw attention to the importance of global health. While reflecting on this year’s initiative to combat vector-borne diseases, also remember to focus on the health of you and your family. Spring into health this season by ...Continue Reading -
6 Ways to Feng Shui Your Home
April 29, 2014 Many environmental scientists and architects incorporate the basic idea of Feng Shui into their designs on the premise that clutter in our homes hinders our sense of well-being. Surrounding yourself with objects and architecture that uplift your mood and ensuring items are in proper places and not in chaos can give you a better state of mind. To put it simply, as the old saying goes, a clean house ...Continue Reading -
5 Money Saving Tips
March 29, 2014 It seems everywhere you turn these days, someone is offering up the latest and greatest money saving tips. Have you noticed it’s usually the same tips over and over? They’re recycled and bedazzled, but nonetheless, they’re the same. The most common tips are adjust your home thermostat, stop eating out (including trips to the local coffee house), and pay off your credit card balance each month. ...Continue Reading -
Dryer Vent Cleaning Tips
March 24, 2014 Did you know dirty dryer vents cause 15,000 home fires a year? That adds up to a collective $201 million in damages! According to recent studies, nearly 92 percent of all laundry room fires can be traced back to either a dirty dryer or a dirty dryer vent system. Either way, it’s kindling simply waiting for a spark. And that’s all it takes – just one small spark can ignite lint buildup. Once ...Continue Reading