The appliances inside a home often make life easier, but if you use them incorrectly, they might pose evident risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these household appliance safety suggestions from Lancaster Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards might still occur. In the event a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair California.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, so electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp locations around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in California. Then, for even more safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not meant for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water
Many home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, like barbecue grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
An extension cord poses several potential risks, this includes:
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it’s the right gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For instance, a household extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire whereas a larger cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, something called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It’s simple to assume that you know how to use a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise have known about.
You discover if the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to start a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You can limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, clocks and other features standby times.
Unplug TVs, monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Lancaster Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand household appliances!
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