The appliances in your house make life easier, but if you use household appliances incorrectly, they could create noticeable health risks. It is important to protect your appliances and ensure that they don’t become hazards by following these helpful appliance safety tips from Choice Hawthorne Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post will help to prevent fires and injuries due to household appliances. However, hazards could still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a appliance repair Hawthorne.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Hawthorne. After that, for even more safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Several appliances are specially built for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that can break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that could result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a garden tool might have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is simple to guess that you know how to operate a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:
You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the new appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn about advanced features you might not otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to operate a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For even more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Choice Hawthorne Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular household appliances!
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