The appliances in a house can make your life less stressful, but if you use appliances the wrong way, they could produce evident health risks. You will want to protect your appliances and ensure that they do not become hazards by following these helpful household appliance safety recommendations from National City Appliance Repair.
The tips below help prevent fires and injuries from broken appliances. That being said, hazards could still occur. In the event a home appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, call a professional appliance repair National City.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to moisture or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore electrical cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity occur.
If you do not have GFCI outlets in damp areas inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in National City. Then, for safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas
Some home appliances are built for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – be sure that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option
Extension cords pose many noticeable risks, including:
The chance for loose connections that sometimes can create sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that will break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For example, a simple household extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is lost on the way, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is obvious to assume that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You will find out whether your house’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn more about features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the extreme frustration that can come from trying to start a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.
For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact National City Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all name brand household appliances!
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