Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house can make your life less stressful, but when you operate them the wrong way, they could pose significant health risks. You will want to protect your appliances and make sure they do not become hazards by following these household appliance safety suggestions from Allen Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. However, hazards can still occur. If an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair CITY.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible wetness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not mix, so electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity are detected.

If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside of your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for even more safety, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not for outdoor areas.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

Several home appliances are specially built for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all outlets and plugs are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer

An extension cord poses a lot of noticeable risks, this includes:

The chance for a loose connection that could result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that could ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a radio could have a 16-gauge cord whereas a bigger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is used up on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It’s simple to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:

You will find out if your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn more about features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.

You do not have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to use a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use

You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby mode.

Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.

For additional tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Allen Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all common home appliances!

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