New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-03-03
Efficiency: These Devices
Tighten HoMsework
HOW TO GET MAXIMUM SER
VICEFROM YOUR ELECTRI-
CAL APPLIANCES
By DE WITT v. WEED, JR.,

Engineering Expert, The Tribune Institute
TLECTRICAL appliances quickly prove
II. unsatisfactory if abused or handled I'M
skilfully, and therefore it pays to IN
derstand them and be careful and intelligent
in their use.
While electricity will provide power, its most
general application in the home is in the form
of light and heat. Heat in any form, if not
controlled, becomes an element of danger.
1t should be second nature always to shut
off the current when the device is not con-
tinually in use To do this disconnect the
fatiron, curling iron, toaster or whatever the
appliance may be by pulling out the plug. Do
not snap the switch on the lamp socket until
this is done Otherwise you may elbow"
fuse.
With the fatron it is absolutely essential
that the current be completely cut off when
the iron is not in constant or the material
upon which it is allowed to rest may be
scorched or more seriously damaged.
An electric coil for heating water or curl
ing iron, when thoughtlessy laid down, will do
damage especially if the current is not shut
off. Remember to disconnect the plug
Many electric appliances such as samovars,
peTCOldLOTS, WAFER HedIClo, SNN3 CIV INV
equipped with fuse nuts, which melt and au
tomatically break the circuit, thus preventing
injury to the device and the necessity of ex-
pensve repairs, but, even so. 1T means annoy
ance and replacement of the nut if you forget
to disconnect the plug.
The electric warming pad is popular con-
venience. but to get maximum service from it
remember to keep it dry (unless it IS provided
with a waterproof cover), and don't fasten it
to the bed cover by safety pin, as you may
short circuit the inside connections. Wrapping
a damp cloth around the pad also will cause
the materials of which it is constructed to
deteriorate.
An electric radiator or heater in late spring
or fall is comfort and safer than most other
heaters, but don't tempt misfortune by allow
ing curtains or infammable materials to t1utter
near it,
Practically all household electrical appliances
are designed for lamp socket connection, but
care should be exercised in the of "cluster
plugs A cluster plug converts a single
socket into two, three or four sockets, thus
permitting light to be provided at the same
time or one or more devices to be used. How
ever, the lighting circuit must not be over
loaded and fuses blown. On the circuit OF the
average home two appliances, like perco-
ator and toaster, may be safely used at one
time with 25watt lamp, but care should be
taken not to exceed this number or trouble
will follow in the guise of elbow out"
When intelligently used electricity is both
a help in solving the servant problem and a
delight because of it's cleanliness. 1t is as
versatile in its service any genie of the
magic lamp.
This winter the electric heater or radiator
has come into it's own. Its virtue of providing
a radiant glow and making the bathroom or
nusery comfortable by taking the chill off
has been warmly appreciated. The electric
heating pad is another comfort to have around.
It far surpasses the old-fashioned hot water
bottle and is available at all times. It's heat
can be regulated, is safe and sanitary and can
be used for hours alta time without the need
of constant changing.
Could any reasonable man grumble about