Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a home can make life much easier, but if you use them the wrong way, they might create noticeable health risks. You will want to maintain appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into hazards by adhering to these helpful appliance safety recommendations from Powell Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water do not go together, therefore power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets in damp rooms around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for even more safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas

Quite a few appliances are manufactured for outdoor areas, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and more – monitor that all of the outlets and cords are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution

An extension cord poses several potential risks, including:

The likelihood of a loose connection that could cause sparks and a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that could break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The chance of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a basic extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge cord where a larger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is used up enroute, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It’s simple to assume that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is important for several reasons:

You will want to find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You might need to install a circuit to stop overloading your current ones.

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You learn whether the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.

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

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You can limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.

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

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts