There are several good safety practices useful when using garbage disposals in the kitchen. Garbage disposals, also known as garbage disposers, aid in the breakdown and disposal of food scraps, bones, coffee grounds, and other similar items, thus reducing the amount of garbage that your house produces. Because of their sharp blades, however, garbage disposals pose several safety risks of which you should be aware. Above all else: Exercise caution when operating and maintaining your disposal.
Read the Manual
Reading the owner's manual for any appliance is important because it lists maintenance tips and safety guidelines that are specific to your product. The manual will guide you through simple repairs, and let you know when you need to call a plumber.
Watch What Goes into the Disposal
Be careful about what goes down your garbage disposal. Three materials in particular—rubber, metal, and glass—should never make it into the disposal. These items are likely to jam or clog your disposal, meaning that you will have to reach into it to dislodge the object, which may have sharp edges.
If there is a clog or a jam, do not stick spoons or anything else down to dislodge it while the disposal is still operating. Turn off the disposal before sticking anything besides approved scraps down there.
Turn off the Electricity
Whenever you are performing any maintenance on your garbage disposal, even if it's as simple as reaching your hand down to search for a clog, turn off its power source. This is important to ensure that your hand remains intact.
Wear Work Gloves
Although wearing gloves inhibits your dexterity, it increases the chances that you will not be injured. The blades of a garbage disposal are very sharp and can cut you easily if you aren't careful. And if you get cut by the blade, the likelihood that that cut will get infected is high because of bacteria that may be growing on and around the disposal.
Don't Use Chemicals
Chemical cleaners may seem like a great way to unclog your disposal, but the chemicals may result in a reaction inside the disposal that could be injurious to you, your family, and your disposal.
- Dish washing by Andrey Ushakov from Fotolia.com
