The appliances in a home make life easier, but if you use household appliances the wrong way, they might pose evident risks. It is important to protect your appliances and be sure they will not become hazards by following these appliance safety recommendations from Five Star Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post can help prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a safety risk, hire a appliance repair Yucaipa.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water do not go together, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This special type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Yucaipa. Once that is done, for further safety measures, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas
Several appliances are specially manufactured for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and more – be sure that all of the plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses several risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that sometimes can result in sparks and a fire.
The chance of power interruptions that could break the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The odds of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For example, a basic extension cord for a radio 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 used up on the way, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for electric tools and similar equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn about advanced features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn if the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from trying to start a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you are not operating them. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Five Star Appliance Repair. We can repair all common household appliances!
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