CHANCES are you’ve already dug your fan out as Britain swelters.
Your fan may seem like a pretty harmless bit of kit but you could be taking some pretty dangerous risks in your bid to keep cool.
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Safety charity Electrical Safety First has warned Brits about six very common mistakes electric fan owners are making.
In extreme cases, these could risk causing a fire.
“It’s important to make sure you don’t risk fires or burns in your bid to stay cool so ensure you follow our essential tips to avoid an accident occurring,” explained Electrical Safety First’s Giuseppe Capanna.
“People should buy their fans from a reputable High Street retailer they know and trust, register the product with the manufacturer
and never leave it on whilst asleep or out of the house.”
1. Don’t leave your fan on overnight
Sleep can become so uncomfortable in the summer months so it’s only natural that you be tempted to leave the fan on.
But Giuseppe says this isn’t a good idea.
That’s because a fault could happen while you’re asleep and you would have no idea.
And this in turn could lead to a fire.
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Of course, most modern electric fans are safe to leave on for hours at a time and pose little to no threat.
If you do choose to leave it on overnight, make sure the device is clear of dust and is far away from drapes or curtains.
If you risk severe heat stroke or other adverse health effects by leaving your fan off, it’s almost certainly worth leaving it on.
And don’t forget, some modern fans also have timers – so maybe you could set it to go for a couple of hours then switch off automatically later?
2. Buy from a trusted retailer
With the cost of living crisis, it might be tempting to buy a cheap second hand fan from a site like Facebook Marketplace.
But experts say it’s best not to, as it won’t have the same safety testing as it would from a reputable retailer.
Substandard imitations could risk electric shock and fire.
3. Don’t balance your fan on the edge of a surface
Your fan should always be kept on a flat surface.
If it’s balanced precariously on the edge of something, such as a dresser or bedside table, it could very easily fall off.
As a result, the blades may well hit the guard and put the motor under additional strain, thereby leading to overheating and even a fire.
On top of that, it could break your fan altogether as well.
4. Clean your fan of dust that’s built up
Over the years, your fan’s vents and motor can become quite clogged up with dust buildup.
This is especially the case if you’ve just dug it out from a closet.
Dust puts the motor under extra strain, increasing the risk of overheat and catch fire.
The dust itself can also act as a source of ignition if the motor were to overheat.
So make sure you regularly give it a clean.
Before cleaning the fan blades or motor, unplug the device and follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the manual.
5. Don’t ignore any weird buzzing sounds
If your fan is giving off a faint buzzing sound it may be a sign of an electrical fault or ‘arcing’ occurring at the plug.
Always ensure your fan is plugged in securely and if you notice any smell of burning or unusual noises, turn it off immediately.
6. Check your fan for wear and tear
We often keep hold of fans for years, packing them away in the cooler months, where damage may occur to cables.
It’s important to check that the cables and vents are in good condition.
Damage to those parts can hinder the product’s performance.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
