The appliances in your house can make your life much less stressful, but if you use them incorrectly, they might create noticeable health risks. It is important to protect your appliances and be sure they won’t turn into hazards by following these household appliance safety recommendations from Quality Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post will help prevent fires and injuries from appliances. However, hazards could still happen. If a home appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, call a appliance repair Quincy.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t mix, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Quincy. Then, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas
A lot of appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
An extension cord poses several evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that might create sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that can break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that could cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it is the appropriate gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord while a longer cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more power is gone on the way, this is known as voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to assume that you know how to operate your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to support the appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about features you would not have otherwise known.
You understand if the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the frustration that can come from trying to operate a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For more tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Quality Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand household appliances!
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