Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home make life much easier, but when you use household appliances incorrectly, they might pose significant risks. It is important to care for appliances and make sure they don’t become hazards by following these appliance safety tips from Giles Appliance Repair.

The tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, call a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not go together, that means power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity are detected.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in damp locations around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor areas.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

Some home appliances are specifically built for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – monitor that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution

Extension cords can pose several potential risks, this includes:

• The potential for loose connections that might lead to sparks and cause a fire.
• The likelihood of power fluctuations that will ruin the appliance.
• Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that might cause electrocution.
• The probability of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a electrical extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord while a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are good for electric tools and equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

It is obvious to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the new appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.

You learn about features you would not have otherwise known.
You learn if the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the frustration that can come from trying to start a appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them

You can prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when you are not operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other energy-draining features standby times.

Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy use. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.

For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Giles Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand household appliances!

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