Stove Tripping the Power? A Stove Safety Checklist for Kariega Homes

Know your isolator

Every electric stove should be connected through an isolator switch, usually a large switch on the wall near the stove. It cuts power to the whole stove. Make sure every adult and older child in the house knows where it is and how to use it. In an emergency, it is faster and safer than going to the distribution board.

If your stove does not have an accessible isolator, or the isolator is damaged, discoloured or warm to the touch, have a registered electrician look at it.

Stop-now warning signs

If you notice any of these, switch the stove off at the isolator and do not use it until it has been checked.

The stove trips the earth leakage

The earth leakage protects people from electric shock. If the stove trips it, there is current leaking where it should not. Common causes are moisture in an element, a damaged element, or burned or damaged wiring. Do not keep resetting it.

A burning or hot plastic smell

Especially from behind the stove, near the controls or at the isolator. This often means an overheating connection, which can lead to a fire.

Scorch marks or melted plastic

On the knobs, the control panel, the back of the stove, the cable or the isolator.

Sparks or crackling

From a plate, the oven or the controls.

A tingle or shock

If you feel any tingle when touching the stove, the oven door or a pot on the stove, switch off at the isolator immediately. This is dangerous.

A cracked glass hob

Liquids can seep through and reach live parts.

Fix-soon warning signs

These are not emergencies, but they should be checked soon, because they often get worse.

• A plate that only works on high, or does not switch off
• A plate that works intermittently, or only when you wiggle the knob
• The oven heats unevenly or too hot
• Knobs that are loose, cracked or spin freely
• The oven door does not close properly
• The oven light, fan or clock has stopped working

Children and the stove

In busy family homes, children are often in and around the kitchen. A few habits reduce the risks:

• Turn pot handles inwards so they cannot be knocked or grabbed.
• Use the back plates when small children are around.
• Teach children that knobs are not toys. Some stoves accept knob covers or have removable knobs.
• Never leave a hot stove unattended with small children nearby.
• Do not store treats or toys above or behind the stove.
• Keep the oven door closed; some ovens have a child lock or a cool-touch door.

Everyday good habits

• Clean spills before they burn on, especially around plate rims and under removable trays.
• Keep the area behind the stove clear of cloths, packaging and grease build-up.
• Use flat-bottomed pots that match the plate size.
• Do not use the oven to heat the kitchen.
• Do not line the oven floor with foil.
• Switch off at the isolator during power cuts, and wait a few minutes after power returns before switching on.
• Never try to repair a stove yourself while it is connected.

Older stoves and older wiring

Many established homes in Kariega and Despatch have stoves and wiring that have been in service for a long time. Stove circuits carry high currents, so loose or aged connections heat up. During any repair, we check the connections at the stove and look for heat damage at the cable and isolator. If the household wiring needs work, we will recommend a registered electrician.

When to call us

Call or WhatsApp us with a description and a photo of the model sticker. For stop-now signs, keep the stove switched off at the isolator until we arrive. Most callouts in Kariega and Despatch are same day or next day.