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7 ways to
prevent aholiday hosting
disaster

Hosting a get together at your home this holiday season? Here are seven easy things you can do for disaster-free celebrations:

Washing machine: Inspect your washing machine's water fill hoses for blisters or cracks and replace the hoses before using your washing machine again. Note that washing machines are accompanied by rubber fill hoses that are known to dry out and crack – as early as two years old. Stainless-steel hoses are recommended.
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Dishwasher: If your dishwasher's tub is filling with water when it's not in use or if water is leaking from the motor area at any time, key components are failing. Take action now to avoid a flood.
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Remove lint from the dryer venting, from the inside of the dryer to the outside.
Dryer venting, lint buildup and heat make a lethal trio that creates thousands of residential fires across the U.S. and Canada every year. Annually, clean out the lint from the venting. It's a do-it-yourself job made easier with a long, 20-foot, flexible cleaning brush.
Clean the oven.
Spilled food, juices and grease on the interior of an oven can cause smoking and possibly lead to a fire. Remember, cleaning sprays should not be used on self-cleaning ovens, as they can damage the self-cleaning layer on the interior.
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Do not use space heaters.
Due to their compact size, portable space heaters are vulnerable to tipping, particularly with pets, children and guests who are unfamiliar with your home.

Troubleshoot and fix appliances now before they become more expensive problems.
Pay attention to your appliances; minor changes in performance may be warning signs about larger problems that can be fixed now to save money and extend the lives of the appliances.

Look for changes such as an oven cooking unevenly, a dryer taking longer to dry clothing, minor leaks from a dishwasher, a refrigerator running constantly or a washing machine making thumping noises. All of these noticeable issues can often be repaired with inexpensive parts.

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Strategically schedule your range's self-cleaning cycle.
What makes a self-cleaning feature so effective at its job is that it gets the oven to temperatures upwards of 900 degrees Fahrenheit, incinerating everything inside. Unfortunately, such high temps sometimes result in a door-latch problem. To avoid ruining a holiday meal, it is best not to use the self-cleaning feature with fewer than 14 days before you'll need your oven for an event. This will give you time to complete any necessary repairs.

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