Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home can make life much less stressful, but when you operate household appliances the wrong way, they could create noticeable risks. It is best to care for your appliances and make sure they won’t turn into dangers by following these household appliance safety suggestions from Spencer Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help prevent fires and injuries from home appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This special type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity arise.

If you do not have GFCI outlets in damp locations inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for safety measures, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor use.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

Many appliances are manufactured for the outdoors, like barbecue grills. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the cords and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option

Extension cords pose several evident risks, including:

The likelihood of a loose connection that could result in sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that will damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For example, a basic electrical extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord whereas a big cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and similar equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It is simple to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is necessary for several reasons:

You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise known.
You learn whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.

You do not have the frustration that can come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby times.

Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.

For additional tips on using appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Spencer Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major household appliances!

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