Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house make life easier, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could create significant risks. You will want to protect appliances and be sure they will not turn into dangers by following these helpful household appliance safety recommendations from Elroy Appliance Repair.

The tips in this post can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken kitchen appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety risk, hire a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power occur.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp areas inside of your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for additional safety, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Wet Areas

A lot of appliances are manufactured for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer

Extension cords pose many evident risks, this includes:

The chance for a loose connection that might lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that could break the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that may result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a household extension cord for a garden tool might have a 16-gauge cord while a longer cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for electric tools and similar equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to assume that you know how to use your brand new appliance without consulting the manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.

You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover if the appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.

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

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them

You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby times.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.

For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Elroy Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major home appliances!

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