Household appliances.

[rose2008-2008]

Having put washing on this morning it occurred to me again my washing machine is over ten years old. All appliancy things are things my ex boyfriend owned and left for me when he moved out. As well as Washing Machine my Microwave, Fridge, Toaster, Iron,Shower are all over ten years old and never as yet been replaced. They are all working fine. I am descaling my washing machine in a while but what i wanted to know is?, it is obviously my responsibility to sort out these things but if you were me would you say have them electrically checked?. I know there are yearly tests done on appliances in workplaces and such for safety. Also if they are working is there any need to replace them anyway?. Or should i so to speak?. I may have asked along these lines before but worry about electrical things like mad and am worried about fires starting electrically and so forth if things are old. My washing machine is rusty at the front but still works well with no problems. What do you think?. Thanks.

[spring_rabbit]

Just because they are ten years old there is no need to throw them out, we just put money away each month to have a fund in case something goes bang, just replace appliances when they fail.

No need to have your own items safety tested, just keep to the basics, is the mains lead in good condition, does the mains cable go into the plug without any wires showing, is the plug in good physical condition, if you need to replace a fuse always use a replacement of the same rating NEVER higher.

Never overload sockets, I hate thoese three way adaptors that you plug into a single wall socket that has three sockets on, each appliance should have its own wall socket or one of those 4 way extension blocks and don't plug an extension block into another extension block. Don't plug any high current devices like microwaves, washing machines or kettles into a 4 way block they are only suitable for computers, lights and home entertainment equipment

[fishpieface]

My washing machine is well over ten years old and works fine.  Our last fridge/

freezer was nearly twenty years old when we replaced it 'cos the freezer bit broke.

The little fridge we had when we first married in 1982 was third hand then, we

passed it to a friend who did the same, it was still going about five years ago

when myself and another friend were talking and realised we were talking about

the same fridge as we'd had all that time previously!

New isn't always better and we never replace things just for the sake of doing so.

[merc1_clocks]

 If it ain't broke - don't fix it

[cee-dee]

If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is.

[chickengrandma-2008]

Leave well alone!  Get them checked/tested and either the repairman will say they need bits replacing, just to get the work, or the fiddling with them will break them.  Just like the dentist, go for a check up, a week later you lose a filling!!  

[ilove2patch]

My washer is nearly 14! Cooker & hob the same age. Had to replace the fridge freezer twice in thet period of time though.

[rose2008-2008]

I dont feel so worried about them now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. . Bless you .

[guardpig]

Washer is about to be replaced as it is broken!.  It has done well at 7 years, I beat them to death.  No appliance round here gets replaced until it breaks.

[rose2008-2008]

Ooohhhh i hope i have not jinxed it???. LOL. im surrounded by oldies but goodies in my Flat!!!!. They must have been good quality when he brought them!!!. I keep saying im going to buy a telly too but theres nothing really wrong with this one. Im not the sort of person who has to have the latest thing,,, even my phone is ancient,, over five years old,, a tiny little thing it is.

[mepixin12]

As long as they are still doing the job, and the plugs are in good condition (no loose wiring) then they should last a while yet. 

Just unplug all electrical items before going to bed... to be on the safe side, we should all do this whether it is new or old.

I had an old zanussi washing machine over 20yrs old ... but working perfectly but not pure white anymore but not bad either......sooooo I let MOH bring his nice new white machine when he moved in.

My old machine went out working and to a new owner..... and as for MOH's pure white new machine it gave up the ghost  a few weeks later.... Moral of story as has been said, If it ain't broke.. don't fix it!! 

[ilove2patch]

It would take me ages to unplug everything before I go to bed! That's what the fuses in the plugs are for isn't it?  Some I can't even get to as they are behind things. I will take my chances.lol

[guardpig]

Exactly Patch.  Just had to move everything out from under sink, then feel round on wall behind said sink for the socket and then switch off and remove plug to remove old washer from it's little hole!.  Some man designed my kitchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Every night and not once every 7 years?  I think not.

[bankhaunter]

Never heard of a washing machine starting a fire.

Televisions on the otherhand are different, those should be switched off at the wall although modern LCD/LED ones may not be so bad.

[duck_a_lorange]

It's MODERN fridge freezers that can be fatal -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20908209

Modern fridge freezers are the most dangerous household appliance when involved in a blaze, a London Fire Brigade (LFB) report has found.

It said they contain large amounts of plastic and flammable insulation, which can cause large fires that spread quickly and highly toxic gases.

The report followed a fire in Neasden in 2011 that began behind a chest freezer and caused six deaths.

The LFB is calling for tougher safety standards for the appliances.

According to the report, fridges and freezers built in recent years contain more plastic than older models, but the highly flammable insulation is not separated from the parts of the appliance where a fire can start.

[ilove2patch]

Well you can't turn that off when you go to bed!

[mepixin12]

Typical me 'finks a man may be designing these fire hazard fridges too? hm

I was going to check out the prices of the remote controlled extentions for those hard to reach places, as I had to do a lot more swithching on and off of trees n mantle lights over the festive period.

Anyone have them?