The article suggests installing smoke alarms, inspecting power cords, checking wiring, practicing kitchen safety, clearing range hoods of grease and keeping dryer vents clear as other preventative measures.

FORBES: Time Well Spent: How to Avoid Appliance Fires

Clearnet, a swaps clearing-house, is part of an industry-wide dash to grab some of the action (see article).

ECONOMIST: The risk in clearing-houses