You smell gas
Stop using the appliance, avoid ignition sources, ventilate if you can, and seek qualified help. Do not wait for a scheduled visit.
Appliance Safety: When to Stop Using It
Calm, practical stop-use guidance for gas odors, sparking, burning smells, active water leaks, and cracked glass cooktops across every appliance we service.
When to Stop Using an Appliance
Safety before convenience. These are calm, practical stop-use signals — if you see one, turn the appliance off and call for qualified help before running it again.
Sparking or electrical shock
Unplug the appliance or shut off its breaker if it is safe to reach, and stop using it until it is inspected.
Burning smell from a dryer
Failure to clean the lint path is a factor in a meaningful share of home dryer fires. Clean the lint screen and exterior vent flap, and stop use if the smell continues.
Active water leak
Shut off the supply valves to a leaking washer or dishwasher. A small leak can become a flooring or cabinet problem if it is ignored.
Cracked glass cooktop
Take a cracked glass cooktop out of use until it is checked, to avoid electrical and cut hazards.
Overheating or won't shut off
An appliance that runs hot and never cycles off should be turned off and scheduled for diagnosis.
Food safety during a refrigerator failure or power loss: USDA guidance says keep refrigerators at 40°F or below and freezers at 0°F. During an outage, an unopened refrigerator holds a safe temperature for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours. When cooling is failing, act before food is at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if something seems unsafe?
Stop using the appliance. If you smell gas or see sparking, address the immediate hazard first and seek qualified help. Then call us to schedule a diagnosis.