📞 (412) 351-9373 — Call for Urgent Appliance Service
Most appliance failures are inconvenient, not dangerous. A refrigerator that stops cooling or a washer that will not drain is frustrating, but it is not an emergency. However, certain symptoms — a gas smell near a dryer or range, a burning odor from inside an appliance, visible sparking, repeated circuit breaker trips, or water actively flooding — are genuine safety concerns that require immediate action. This page explains what each warning sign means, what to do immediately, and when the situation requires a professional rather than a YouTube video.
If you smell gas
Natural gas is odorless. The rotten-egg or sulfur smell you associate with gas is mercaptan — a chemical deliberately added by gas utilities so you can detect leaks.
If you smell gas near a gas dryer, gas range, gas oven, or gas water heater:
1. Do not flip any light switches or electrical switches. An electrical spark can ignite gas.
2. Do not use your phone inside the house. Some phones can create a spark when powering on.
3. Do not light a match, lighter, or candle.
4. Open doors and windows if you can do so quickly and safely.
5. Leave the house.
6. Call your gas utility's emergency line from outside. In Pittsburgh, this is People's Gas at 1-800-764-0111. In surrounding areas served by Columbia Gas, call 1-800-344-4077.
7. Do not re-enter the house until the gas company has cleared it.
A gas leak is not an appliance repair situation until the gas company has confirmed the area is safe. Only after clearance should you schedule appliance repair to fix the source of the leak.
Carbon monoxide risk
Gas appliances that burn fuel incompletely can produce carbon monoxide — an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Every home with gas appliances should have working carbon monoxide detectors on every level, especially near sleeping areas. If your carbon monoxide detector alarms:
1. Get everyone out of the house immediately.
2. Call 911 from outside.
3. Do not re-enter until emergency responders have cleared the home.
Gas ranges, gas ovens, and gas dryers should be vented properly. A gas dryer that is not vented to the outside — or whose vent is blocked — can introduce combustion byproducts into your living space.
Dryer fires
Dryer fires are one of the most common appliance-related fire hazards in the United States. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers cause an estimated 2,900 home fires annually, resulting in deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage. The leading cause is failure to clean the dryer — specifically lint buildup in the exhaust vent.
Reduce your dryer fire risk:
- Clean the lint trap before or after every load — no exceptions.
- Have the dryer exhaust vent professionally cleaned at least once a year, more frequently if you do heavy laundry loads.
- Replace flexible foil or plastic dryer vent hose with rigid or semi-rigid metal ductwork. Foil and plastic hoses trap lint and are more likely to be crushed or kinked.
- Make sure the exterior vent flap opens freely when the dryer runs and closes when it stops.
- Do not run the dryer when you are not home or when you are sleeping.
- If you notice the dryer taking significantly longer to dry clothes, check the vent immediately — that is the most common early warning sign of a blockage.
Burning smell from any appliance
A burning smell from an appliance can mean several things:
- New appliance: Some new appliances produce a brief burning smell during the first few uses as manufacturing residues burn off. This should stop after one or two cycles. If it continues, stop using the appliance.
- Overheating motor: A motor that is overworking — due to a jammed component, a failed bearing, or an obstructed fan — can overheat and produce a burning smell. Unplug the appliance immediately.
- Burning insulation or wiring: This is the most serious cause. If the smell is acrid, chemical, or like burning plastic, unplug the appliance immediately and do not use it again until it has been inspected by a technician.
- Lint burning in a dryer: Lint trapped near the heating element or in the exhaust vent is literally burning. Stop the dryer, clean the lint trap, and check the vent before using it again.
Sparking or arcing
Visible sparks or electrical arcing from an appliance outlet, power cord, or inside the appliance is an immediate fire and electrocution hazard.
- Unplug the appliance if you can do so safely — pull the plug, do not touch the appliance itself.
- If you cannot safely unplug it, turn off the circuit breaker.
- Do not use the appliance again until it has been professionally repaired.
Repeated breaker trips
If an appliance repeatedly trips its circuit breaker or GFCI outlet, something is drawing excessive current or creating a ground fault. Do not keep resetting the breaker and trying again.
Possible causes include:
- A short circuit in the appliance wiring or motor
- A failing compressor (refrigerators and freezers) drawing locked-rotor current
- A ground fault from water intrusion into electrical components
- A damaged power cord or plug
Resetting a breaker repeatedly does not fix the problem — it masks a potentially dangerous condition. Each trip is the safety system doing its job. A technician needs to identify the source of the fault before the appliance is used again.
Damaged power cords
A frayed, cracked, or pinched power cord is a fire and shock hazard. Check the power cord on your major appliances periodically — especially where the cord exits the appliance and where the plug meets the wall outlet. If the cord is damaged, do not use tape to repair it. Replace the cord or have it replaced by a technician.
Water and electricity
Water near an electrical appliance is always a safety concern. If a washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator is leaking and the water is near the power cord or outlet:
1. Do not step in the water while reaching for the plug.
2. Turn off the circuit breaker from the electrical panel.
3. Address the leak before restoring power.
Washer flooding
A washing machine can release 20 to 40 gallons of water during a fill cycle. If a fill hose bursts or the drain hose disconnects, that water can cause significant property damage in minutes.
Reduce your risk:
- Inspect washer fill hoses annually. Replace rubber hoses with braided stainless-steel hoses, which are far less likely to burst.
- Turn off the water supply valves when the washer is not in use, especially if you will be away from home for an extended period.
- Make sure the drain hose is securely connected to the drain standpipe and is not kinked.
Dishwasher flooding
Dishwasher leaks are usually slower and less dramatic than washer floods, but they can still cause serious water damage to flooring, subfloors, and cabinetry. Common causes include failed door gaskets, cracked tubs, loose hose connections, and malfunctioning water inlet valves.
If you notice water pooling under or around your dishwasher, turn off the water supply and schedule repair before running the dishwasher again.
Refrigerator water damage
Refrigerators with ice makers and water dispensers have a water supply line that can develop leaks over time. Copper tubing is especially prone to fatigue cracks at connection points. Check behind and underneath your refrigerator periodically for signs of moisture.
A clogged defrost drain inside the refrigerator can also cause water to accumulate inside the fresh-food compartment and leak onto the floor. This is a common, usually straightforward repair.
Manufacturers occasionally issue safety recalls for appliances with defects that can cause fire, shock, gas leaks, or other hazards. Recalled appliances should not be used until the manufacturer's recommended remedy has been applied.
How to check if your appliance has been recalled:
- Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at cpsc.gov/recalls
- Search by brand, product type, or date
- Have your model number and serial number ready
If your appliance has been recalled, contact the manufacturer directly. Recall repairs are typically free, and the manufacturer may provide replacement parts, a repair technician, or a replacement unit.
Stop using the appliance immediately and call for service if:
- You smell gas near any gas appliance
- You see sparking or electrical arcing
- You smell burning plastic, wiring, or insulation
- The appliance repeatedly trips the circuit breaker
- Water is actively flooding from a washer or dishwasher
- The appliance makes a loud, sudden sound it has never made before — especially grinding, popping, or banging
- The appliance exterior is unusually hot to the touch
- A carbon monoxide detector is alarming
You can continue using the appliance cautiously while scheduling repair if:
- The appliance is running but underperforming (e.g., refrigerator not as cold as usual, dryer taking longer to dry)
- A single feature has stopped working (e.g., ice maker off, one burner out, light bulb burned out)
- An error code is displayed but the appliance is otherwise functional
- The issue is cosmetic (door handle loose, knob cracked)
📞 (412) 351-9373 — Call for Appliance Safety Assessment
FAQ — Appliance Safety
Is it safe to use a refrigerator that is not cooling properly?
The appliance itself is not dangerous, but food safety becomes a concern. If the fresh-food compartment is above 40°F (4°C) for more than two hours, perishable food may not be safe to eat. Move perishables to a cooler with ice and schedule repair.
Can a dryer start a fire if the vent is clogged?
Yes. Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of home appliance fires. If your dryer is taking much longer than normal to dry clothes, stop using it and have the vent inspected and cleaned before running it again.
Is it safe to use a gas oven for heating my home?
No. Using a gas oven or range to heat your home creates serious carbon monoxide and fire risks. Gas ovens are not designed for extended unattended operation and do not produce clean enough combustion for space heating. Use a proper heating system.
What should I do if my appliance has been recalled?
Stop using the appliance according to the manufacturer's instructions and contact them directly. Recall repairs are typically free. You can check for recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls.
How often should I have my dryer vent cleaned?
At least once a year. More frequently if you do heavy laundry loads, have a long vent run, or notice your dryer taking longer to dry clothes.