The appliances inside a home often make life much less stressful, but if you use them incorrectly, they might create evident risks. It is important to maintain appliances and be sure they do not turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety tips from DC Appliance Repair ASAP.
The professional tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries due to appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call a appliance repair Washington.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t go together, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity are detected.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in damp rooms inside of your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Washington. Once that is done, for safety, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Some home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, like gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution
Extension cords pose a lot of evident risks, including:
The potential for a loose connection that could result in sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that could damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, be sure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For example, a basic household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord where a larger cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also important. The longer the cord is, the more power is lost on the way, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Short cords are good for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is obvious to guess that you know how to operate a brand new home appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You avoid the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from trying to operate a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You can stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features while in standby times.
Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For extra tips on using home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact DC Appliance Repair ASAP. We can fix all popular home appliances!
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