I've always had trouble with toasters, can openers, etc. so I don't keep them around. I use a hand can opener and it works just fine for me even with arthritis. My toaster oven is rarely used and when I leave for more than a day I unplug all my surge protectors that my machines are plugged into. I had a whole house surge protector installed on the breaker box but I don't know if they really work or not. Plus when we're having a storm I won't turn any of my machines on and usually unplug them just to be safe.
Another tip is those that use batteries.........when you're ready to toss them, wrap the ends with some sort of tape as there could be just enough juice left in them and if they come in contact with metal such as foil paper in the trash can, it could ignite them. I keep blue painter's tape in my sewing room and kitchen for that purpose.