# How do I know if my appliances are safe? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. How do I know if my appliances are safe? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [How do I know if my appliances are safe?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/are-my-appliances-safe/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) Look for damage and warning signs, check recall notices and the RCM mark, and have secondhand items checked by a licensed electrician. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What should I look for on an appliance? 2. How do I check for a product recall? 3. What is the RCM mark, and why does it matter? 4. Are secondhand appliances safe? 5. Who should deal with an appliance fault? 6. What to have ready when you ask someone to look at an appliance 7. Frequently asked questions You can check whether an appliance looks safe by looking at it, never by opening it. Cracked casing, a damaged cord, discolouration or a burning smell are warning signs. Check official recall notices for your make and model, look for the Regulatory Compliance Mark when buying, and have secondhand items checked by a licensed electrician. ## What should I look for on an appliance? A regular look can pick up problems early. Without touching or opening anything, watch for: - cracks or breaks in the casing - a cord that is frayed, cut, kinked or has exposed wires - a plug that is cracked, loose in the power point or visibly melted - brown or black marks, or discolouration, on the appliance, plug or power point - a burning or hot-plastic smell, buzzing or crackling - an appliance that repeatedly trips a circuit breaker or safety switch None of these is something to fix yourself. They are reasons to keep away from the appliance and get advice. Smoke, sparks, a shock or a burning smell If an appliance is smoking, sparking or on fire, leave the building with everyone in it, including children and pets, and call 000. If anyone has had a shock or is hurt, call 000. If an appliance smells of burning or looks damaged, do not touch it or anything wet near it, keep children and pets away, and contact a licensed electrician or the manufacturer. ## How do I check for a product recall? The Electrical Safety Office Queensland publishes [electrical product recalls](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/electrical-equipment/electrical-product-recalls), and national consumer authorities publish recall notices for household products too. To search, you need the make and model, which are printed on a label on the appliance or in its manual. If a notice matches your appliance, follow the instructions in the notice, which usually involve contacting the manufacturer or retailer. Do not try to repair a recalled appliance yourself. ## What is the RCM mark, and why does it matter? The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is a mark on electrical products sold in Australia. It indicates the supplier says the product meets the electrical safety requirements that apply to it. When you buy a new appliance, look for the mark and for clear details of who the supplier is. Be careful with products from overseas online sellers, because they may not meet Australian requirements or be easy to return if something goes wrong. The Electrical Safety Office has guidance on [buying and using electrical equipment](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/node/45). ## Are secondhand appliances safe? Secondhand appliances can be perfectly good, but you cannot tell from the outside whether the internal wiring, insulation or earthing is sound. Cords and plugs may also have been damaged or altered. Before using a secondhand appliance, particularly one that heats, runs for long periods or sits near water, have it checked by a licensed electrician. If it is a faulty or damaged item, a repair belongs with the manufacturer or a qualified repairer. ## Who should deal with an appliance fault? If the fault is in the appliance itself, contact the manufacturer, retailer or an authorised repairer. If it could be the power point, the cord connection or the circuit, that is electrical work. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. ## What to have ready when you ask someone to look at an appliance 1. Note what you can see or smell — Write down any marks, noises, smells or tripping, and when they happen. 2. Photograph the appliance and the label — Take photos of the damage and of the make, model and serial label, without moving or opening the appliance. 3. Gather proof of purchase — A receipt or order confirmation helps if the manufacturer or retailer needs to handle the fault. 4. Contact the right person — Contact the manufacturer or retailer for the appliance, or a licensed electrician for the power point or wiring. ## Frequently asked questions - There is no single rule for households, but looking over cords, plugs and casing from time to time helps you catch damage early. Get advice before using anything that looks damaged. - The Regulatory Compliance Mark shows the supplier says the product meets the Australian requirements that apply to it. It is something to look for when buying electrical goods. - You can, but they may not meet Australian requirements and may be harder to return or claim on. Look for the RCM mark and clear supplier details before you buy. - Yes. You cannot judge the internal wiring from the outside, so have a licensed electrician check it before you use it. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalAre power boards and double adaptors safe?Power boards and double adaptors are safe only within their rated load; heaters and kettles are the usual overload risk.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-board-double-adaptor-safety/) - [ElectricalIs it safe to run the clothes dryer when you’re not home?Fire services advise against leaving a clothes dryer running when you are out or asleep, so run it while you are home and awake.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/run-dryer-when-not-home/) - [ElectricalBurning smell or hot power point: what to do right nowFor a burning smell, smoke, sparks or a hot power point, keep away; call 000 for fire or sparks and a licensed electrician urgently otherwise.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [ElectricalDo power points expire, and when should they be replaced?Power points have no fixed expiry date but they wear out; scorch marks, cracks, loose plugs or buzzing mean a licensed electrician should look at them.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-power-points-wear-out/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What should I look for on an appliance? 2. How do I check for a product recall? 3. What is the RCM mark, and why does it matter? 4. Are secondhand appliances safe? 5. Who should deal with an appliance fault? 6. What to have ready when you ask someone to look at an appliance 7. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/are-my-appliances-safe/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).