The appliances inside your home make life much easier, but if you operate appliances the wrong way, they might create noticeable risks. It is important to care for your appliances and ensure that they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these household appliance safety tips from Action Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below help prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety risk, reach out to a professional appliance repair Ohio.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, that means electrical cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets in damp locations around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Ohio. Once that is done, for safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
A lot of appliances are manufactured for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option
Extension cords pose several potential risks, including:
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge cord where a big cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost on the way, this is referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for power tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is simple to guess that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:
You will find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover whether the new appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to operate a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You are able to stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby times.
Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Action Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all common household appliances!
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