The appliances inside a house can make life much easier, but when you operate them unsafely, they might pose evident health risks. It is important to care for appliances and ensure that they will not turn into hazards by adhering to these household appliance safety suggestions from Perry Appliance Repair.
The tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call a appliance repair Ogden.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore power cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity are detected.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Ogden. After that, for further safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas
A lot of home appliances are specially manufactured for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses many evident risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that can result in sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that could break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that might cause electrocution.
The likelihood of 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 short-term use, make sure it is the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For example, a simple household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire while a larger cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s easy to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand if the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You can limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For even more tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Perry Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all name brand home appliances!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts