Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your home make life much easier, but if you use appliances the wrong way, they could create significant risks. You will want to protect your appliances and make sure they don’t turn into hazards by adhering to these appliance safety recommendations from Owens Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries due to appliances. That being said, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety risk, call a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity arise.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside of your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for safety, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.

Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

Several appliances are specifically built for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the cords and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that sometimes can create sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that might break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the cord size. For example, a basic electrical extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord while a larger cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone enroute, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Manual for Any Type ofAppliance You Buy

It’s easy to guess that you know how to operate a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the instructions is important for several reasons:

You will want to find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn about complicated features you might not otherwise known.
You understand if the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.

You don’t have the stress that can come from attempting to run a new home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them

You are able to stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other features while in standby mode.

Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy use. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Owens Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all name brand home appliances!

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