It’s not often that you stumble across a case of a ceiling fan death but believe it or not, it has actually happened a few times in a freak accidents. Obviously we don’t want this to happen to you or any of your family, so it’s important to be as safe as possible when installing, operating and maintaining yours.
So, are ceiling fans safe?
Yes, ceiling fans are generally extremely safe so long as they are at a safe height in a room, installed correctly and maintained regularly.
Should you get them for your house or workplace? Well, in this article, we’ll be discussing exactly that. Let’s look at why ceiling fans can prove dangerous in some cases and what safety measures you can take on your end. Read on ahead to find out!
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Are Ceiling Fans Dangerous?
Inherently, ceiling fans are not dangerous. They are one of the most widely utilized appliances in any household, and their efficiency in circulating air and reducing bills is what makes them a household staple. From humid climates to dry ones, a ceiling fan can get you through it all.
But are ceiling fans dangerous?
Generally, they are safe to use, but we can’t overlook the incidents that have occurred with injuries relates to ceiling fans. There are a few scenarios where the ceiling fan can prove to be dangerous, however all of these scenarios can be easily avoided with correct installation and maintenance.
If you’ve been wondering, “Can a ceiling fan cut your finger off?” then yes, potentially! If the distance isn’t set correctly, and your finger happens to get in the way of the blades, then that might happen – but we don’t want to test that out and advise you don’t either!
Common Reason That Can Cause Ceiling Fans To Be Unsafe
Improper Support During Installation
Another reason why ceiling fans are considered to be unsafe is that they tend to break away from the ceiling at times and fall. This problem occurs when there is a lack of support for the fan to the attachment with the ceiling itself.
You can tackle this problem by ensuring the electrical configuration with the fan and the attachment to the electrical box is appropriately done. You can also invest in a fan brace box that will help support the fan in its position.
Incorrect Assembly Of The Fan
If the fan blades are not aligned together, they will prove to be a danger in the house. This issue is usually caused due to different reasons such as:
- Varying sizes and weights of the individual fan blades
- Bent up blades
- Loose blades
- Warping
This will make the fan wobbly in its placement which could eventually lead to it falling down. You need to make sure that the items we mentioned earlier are appropriately kept in check. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Safety Measures To Take When Using A Ceiling Fan
While the question of whether ceiling fans safe remains, it’s always best that you take the necessary safety measures on your behalf. Here are specific safety measures we recommend that you take in order to ensure maximum safety.
The Right Floor To Ceiling Distance
While installing the fan in your room of choice, adjusting the appropriate distance is necessary. You should ensure that no element of the fan hangs below 7 feet from the floor itself (at the very least). Air flow is maximized when the fan is set 8 to 9 feet from the ground itself.
However, if you ceilings are lower than 8 feet, we recommend that you opt for compact and low profile fans that don’t hang too low and are at least 18 inches from the ceiling itself.
Recheck The Attached Parts After Installation
Once you’ve installed the fan successfully, you should keep a checklist of all the parts necessary for the installation and cross them off one by one. This way, you can ensure that all pieces are, in fact, in the correct place, and you can continue to see if all the screws are done right.
Check the wiring connections in specific to see if the wiring is done right and that the electricity is passing through the unit. The next step is to turn on the fan and check if it is working correctly. In case it vibrates, the blades need to be balanced out. Read more to see if ceiling fans should wobble.
Move Away Any Obstacles In The Clear Height
One significant aspect that people tend to overlook is if any other item in the house will be an obstacle for the fan. For example, a door opening in with the same height or a piece of furniture measures up to 7 feet. These errors could potentially serve as a significant hazard.
Another thing to take care of is your pets. You must make sure that they cannot come in close vicinity of the fan itself. This applies primarily to bird owners mainly for their tendency to fly!
Do Not Use Your Hands To Stop Fan Blades
This one goes without saying but never use your bare hand to stop the fan blades.
When you turn off the fan, it will spin around till it loses its momentum, and during that time, you must not use your hands to stop it. Instead, let the fan come to rest on its own. You can injure your hand seriously if you try to do so.
Always let the fan come to a stop on its own.
Do Not Use Unofficial Parts With Your Fan
Only use the parts that are recommended by the manufacturer of your fan.
If you try adding more elements to your fan that are not approved by the fan manufacturer, you may end up damaging the fan itself.
Similarly, do not exceed the recommended wattage as it could easily damage the fan motor itself.
Additionally, do not use fan blades or blade arms from other fans. They could end up being the incorrect fit, and the chances of them falling apart from the fan increases.
Instead, always use the fan blades that your fan has been sent with.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Are ceiling fans safe? Well, it all depends on how carefully you use and install your ceiling fan. If you follow our guide and avoid the mistakes we’ve mentioned, we can assure you that ceiling fans will bring you no harm!