The appliances in your house can make life much less stressful, but if you use them unsafely, they might pose evident risks. You should maintain your appliances and be sure they don’t turn into hazards by adhering to these household appliance safety tips from Renew Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. That being said, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, call a professional appliance repair Bowie.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water do not go together, so electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in wet areas around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Bowie. After that, for additional safety, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Wet Areas
Quite a few home appliances are specifically manufactured for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses several potential risks, including:
The potential for a loose connection that can cause sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that will damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it is the right gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For example, a simple extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord whereas a bigger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also important. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, something known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for power tools and equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover if the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can come from attempting to use a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For extra tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Renew Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all common home appliances!
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