The appliances inside a home can make life easier, but if you operate them unsafely, they might create significant risks. It is important to protect your appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety suggestions from Avondale Appliance Repair Experts.
The professional tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. Even still, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair Avondale AZ service.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to moisture or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, that means power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power are detected.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in damp locations inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Avondale. Then, for further safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water
Quite a few home appliances are specifically manufactured for the outdoors, like gas and charcoal grills. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all cords and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics will help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Option
Extension cords can pose many potential risks, including:
The likelihood of loose connections that sometimes can cause sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that may ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple household extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is used up on the way, this is called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and similar equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It’s easy to guess that you know how to use your brand new appliance without reading the manual, but reading the instructions is important for many reasons:
You should find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about features you might not otherwise known.
You discover whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to use a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You are able to limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby times.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Avondale Appliance Repair Experts. Our repairmen can repair all name brand household appliances!
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