Are Toasters a Household Hazard?

I have a confession. I leave my toaster plugged in 24 hours a day. I never really thought about the dangers associated with doing this until someone mentioned that leaving a toaster plugged in can be a fire hazard. I had never heard such a claim before! So, I took the issue to the internet. I asked friends on Facebook, Googled until I couldn't see straight, and I even questioned my elders. My conclusion: I don't have one. I have yet to find 100% conclusive evidence that my toaster is an appliance to both love and fear. 

Whether or not you adhere to always unplugging your toaster when it isn't in use, there are some things everyone can do to minimize the fire risks that a toaster might pose:

• Update your appliance. Safety regulations for appliances are constantly changing and toasters are no exception. If you have a toaster that is out of date, it's possible that it is a fire hazard. 
• Keep it clean. Grease, crumbs, and sugar can smoke or ignite when they get hot enough. Removing any leftover food and residue will minimize the risk. 
• Install GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets in your home. This will protect against electrical fires, some of which can be caused by the overheating of a toaster's components. Also, make sure your circuits are large enough to handle the toaster's wattage. 
• When broiling with a toaster oven, keep the door open a notch to keep the unit from overheating. 
• Look into purchasing a toaster with an automatic shut-off feature. 
• Keep your toaster oven away from the wall to allow the heat to dissipate and give the sides plenty of breathing room. The unit can become very hot when it is in use. 
• Keep up-to-date on product recalls by registering your toaster with the manufacturer and regularly checking Consumer Reports for updates and recalls. 
• Finally, keep your toaster far away from any sinks or sources of water. Should your toaster get wet or fall into standing water, unplug it immediately. Do not reach in and pull the toaster out without unplugging it first. 

What about you? Do you leave your toaster plugged in? 

Photo credit:  healthserviceglasses, Creative Commons 2.0