Safety
When to stop using an appliance immediately
Some symptoms are not troubleshooting opportunities. They are signs to stop operation and move to safety/service guidance.
| Red flag | Safer response | Do not |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke or visible sparking | Stop use. If safe, disconnect power without approaching an active fire. Follow local fire/emergency guidance. | Do not reopen/energise to reproduce the fault. |
| Gas/fuel smell | Do not operate electrical switches or create ignition sources. Follow gas supplier/emergency guidance and leave the area if instructed. | Do not troubleshoot burners/valves yourself. |
| Severe overheating / melting smell | Stop use and isolate only if safe. Arrange inspection. | Do not keep resetting the cycle. |
| Repeated breaker/RCD/GFCI trips | Stop repeated resets. The protection is signalling a fault condition that needs investigation. | Do not bypass protection or use another circuit as a workaround. |
| Active flooding near electrical equipment | Stop water/power only from a safe location. Avoid standing water around energized equipment. | Do not reach behind/under the appliance through water. |
| Electric shock / tingling from appliance | Stop use and avoid touching the appliance. Seek electrical/service inspection and medical advice as appropriate. | Do not assume an RCD/GFCI makes further testing safe. |
| Recalled product with stop-use instruction | Follow the official recall notice immediately. | Do not substitute a generic DIY repair for the recall remedy. |
Emergency guidance is local: If there is fire, gas release, serious electrical danger or injury, use the emergency services/utility instructions for your location.