The appliances inside your house make your life less stressful, but when you operate household appliances unsafely, they could pose noticeable risks. You should maintain appliances and make sure they will not turn into hazards by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety recommendations from Webb Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards might still occur. If an appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Mesa.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity occur.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Mesa. Then, for even more safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Many home appliances are built for the outdoors, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Option
Extension cords can pose many potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that could break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, make sure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For example, a extension cord for a garden tool will have a 16-gauge wire whereas a big cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s simple to assume that you know how to use your new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for several reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn more about features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You discover if the new appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You do not have the stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances include LED signals, clocks and other features during standby times.
Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact Webb Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all popular home appliances!
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