The appliances inside a home make life much less stressful, but when you operate appliances unsafely, they could create noticeable risks. It is important to care for your appliances and make sure they won’t turn into hazards by following these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Colton Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards might still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a local appliance repair Colton.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to wetness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, so power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power occur.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Colton. Then, for additional safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
Several home appliances are built for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Option
An extension cord poses many noticeable risks, this includes:
The potential for loose connections that sometimes can cause sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that would ruin the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For example, a basic household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord where a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone on the way, this is known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to guess that you know how to use your brand new home appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s wiring is good enough to power the new appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise known.
You understand if the new appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the stress that can sometimes come from trying to start a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You are able to limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact Colton Appliance Repair. We can repair all major home appliances!
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