While I totally endorse repairing or giving your household appliances the best of care to extend their lifespan and save money, I cannot agree when there is any risk of injury. It is the appliance owner's responsibility to regularly inspect kitchen or household appliances and any electrical device, to ensure they are safe to use.

On a recent camping trip, I came across this dilapidated electric fan in the women's shower room.

Shame on the RV resort owner for leaving this fan in service - it belongs in the scrap pile. Yes, it still works and did provide much-needed air circulation in a hot and humid outdoor shelter. But, it is hazardous and could result in injury. That could also lead to expensive legal costs for the owner. For the $20 or so cost for a new fan, it's just not worth the risk of injury and liability. It needs to be replaced.

Just because an appliance still works is not a good reason to keep using it. In the case of this fan, it should be changed merely for safety reasons, but it also is full of rust and the inner components appear to have mold, so it is blowing bacteria around.

It also has a warped metal frame leaving a large gap on the top corner, where a small hand could get in to the inner workings. This type of fan is not made for humid places. Its electric cord is plugged into a wall outlet close to the showers - also a hazard, and the cord looks thin and old. On the basis of looks alone, this inexpensive fan should be replaced, especially in a public place.

How do you know when an appliance needs to be scrapped? Some conditions are easy to pick out, such as the visible aging signs of this fan, while other appliances may require a closer inspection. And that is something we should do on a regular basis. There are several reasons one would replace an appliance:

• Safety reasons
• It has been recalled by the manufacturer
• To reduce energy use - newer technologies are generally more energy efficient
• For a more efficient model - one that works better
• It no longer meets your needs nor is it required
• Shipping and/or repair fees are greater than replacement costs
• The item is no longer cost efficient to operate or parts/accessories are too difficult to find
• General wear and tear has eroded appearance
• Personal style, trend or brand preferences
• Downsizing or preparing for retirement

When it comes to safety reasons, appliance cords often pose the most hazard. An electrical cord can become damaged - chewed by pets or frayed by age, exposing live wires. A quick fix with electrical tape is neither safe nor permanent. I love vintage appliances and many are still quite functional, but unfortunately, those with old cords can pose the most risk. And replacing the cord on vintage appliances is often difficult and not a viable option.

You should not use any appliance, lamp or electrical device that does not have a polarized plug. This is a must-have safety feature. All electrical appliances should also carry UL certification for use in your country. Without this mark, there's no way of knowing if the product meets recognized safety standards for your area. An extension cord or power bar should also be rated for the specific use you have in mind and connecting several extension cords together to cover a long span, is just asking for disaster.
Making Product Safety a Priority

An appliance plug that sparks, feels overly hot when the product is in use, or that has bent plug prongs should also not be used. Other signs of severe problems that signals repairs are smoke and unusual motor noises or squeals. Appliances should be used for what they were designed for.

Many consumers have had problems with slow cooker handles breaking. When the handle cracks or breaks on an electric cooker, you should immediately discontinue use, check to see if an appliance recall has been issued on that model and/or follow instructions for a replacement under warranty or recall. Continuing to use it just increases risk of injury. It is very unfortunate but sometimes you have to absorb the replacement cost of an appliance, if the warranty period has expired. Safety is the key word here, that makes replacement warranted.
What to do if Your Appliance is Recalled
How to Handle Appliance Problems
Tips to Extend the Life of Your Appliances

There's also another reason for replacing old appliances - energy use. Though it still works and there are no known hazards present, it could be costing you a lot more in electricity than a newer model. This is surely the case for the worn, hazardous fan pictured. A replacement would remove the hazard plus save energy.

When faced with a decision whether to save or scrap an appliance, consider these elements:

• Is the appliance still safe to use?
• How old is the appliance? If it is repaired, will it keep breaking down? Though this is difficult to estimate, if it is old and depending on the type of appliance, two or three repairs might total more than the item is worth.
• Would a replacement model save in operating costs, convenience, energy use or have better time-saving features?
• Can it be repaired and at what cost. Are parts readily available?
• When estimated repairs are higher than replacement costs, it's time to replace. Repair estimates that are close to half the worth of the item, also signal serious replacement consideration. And remember to factor in shipping back and forth to the repair service depot; these are usually not covered even for warranty repairs.

Deciding whether to scrap or save an appliance does indeed vary depending on the product at hand, its replacement cost and your household budget. You'll also want to consider the value of that particular appliance, especially if it has been a very reliable model. Newer ones may not deliver the same performance. However, if an appliance looks hazardous but you're not sure, always err on the side of caution. Replace it.

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