Is It Safe To Run Appliances When You Aren't Home?

Life moves fast, so multitasking often feels like the only way to accomplish everything on your endless daily to-do list. It's tempting to make things easier and streamline tasks by running the dishwasher or starting the dryer while you're out running errands, or maybe even pre-warm your house with a space heater before you return. These conveniences save time, but they also raise an important question of whether or not it is safe to leave these appliances running when you're not home. Even if you're not planning for an extended stay away from home, just leaving appliances running by themselves for a few hours could end in disaster.

In general, it is not recommended to run appliances when you're away due to potential fire and water damage risks. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) tallied at least 24,200 incidents related to electrical fires in 2021. It's estimated that these fires caused around 295 deaths and a $1.2 billion loss in property. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with proper caution and turning off appliances. Of course, there are some exceptions depending on the appliance, your maintenance habits, and your home's safety features. Understanding these distinctions can protect your home, belongings, and peace of mind. 

Certain appliances pose a significant risk of fire damage if left running unattended. Space heaters top the list and are extremely dangerous to operate when no one is home. The National Fire Protection Association recorded 44,210 fires caused by home heating devices between 2016 and 2020, about 88% of which were caused by space heaters. Even if your heater has modern safety features like automatic shutoff, don't feel too relaxed. These can still overheat or malfunction if left unsupervised. Nearby objects, such as curtains or blankets, can also ignite.

Dryers are another appliance you should avoid running while you're out of your house. According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, at least 31% of all fire incidents involving dryers recorded from 2018 to 2020 were caused by homeowners neglecting to clean them out properly. Lint buildup is the main culprit that could make things go awry. Aside from turning the dryer off before you leave, make sure to clean your dryer's lint trap after every use and clean the vent hose at least once per year. 

While washers and dishwashers are designed to operate independently and modern models have safeguards against leaks and overheating, older models and those with recurring maintenance issues can spark fires or spring leaks. Lastly, and perhaps obviously, ovens and stovetops should be turned off when you're not home. Leaving food cooking on the stove while running a quick errand is an all-too common mistake that often leads to disasters. Ovens and stoves can cause grease fires, leak natural gas, or overheat, especially if left on for long periods. 

While no appliance is totally safe, there are a small number of appliances that are generally safer to run when you're not home. Doing so still requires that you take necessary precautions. If you're looking to multitask cooking with going out on errands, then a slow cooker is a safer bet. You can come home to a warm meal without worrying about potential fires and gas leaks. These devices operate at low temperatures, therefore reducing the risk of fire. Make sure that you use slow cookers according to manufacturer instructions and place them on a heat-resistant surface away from any flammable materials like napkins, paper towels, or curtains. 

When in doubt, it's best to wait until you are home to start a load of laundry or turn on a space heater. Always plug heating appliances directly into a wall outlet and keep a fire extinguisher in your home. Of course, being at home doesn't guarantee that accidents won't happen, but that hopefully, you'll notice a fire or water leak before it can wreak too much havoc. Safety should always come first even when multitasking with your appliances to make life easier. It's definitely worth the extra time to address these scary dangers that are lurking around your home.