The appliances inside of your home can make your life much less stressful, but if you use them the wrong way, they could pose evident health risks. It is important to maintain your appliances and make sure they don’t become dangers by following these household appliance safety recommendations from Elite Euless Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post will help to prevent fires and injuries related to appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, call a professional appliance repair Euless.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, therefore power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power arise.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp locations inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Euless. After that, for further safety measures, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
Some home appliances are specifically built for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
Extension cords pose a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that could lead to sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that may damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For example, a electrical extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord whereas a bigger cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is lost enroute, something known as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is simple to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise known.
You learn if the appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the frustration that can come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For even more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact Elite Euless Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all name brand home appliances!
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