Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home make life much easier, but if you use them the wrong way, they could pose noticeable health risks. It is best to maintain appliances and make sure they won’t become hazards by following these household appliance safety tips from Ready Appliance Repair.

The tips in this post can help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a appliance repair Annandale.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to possible wetness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity arise.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in damp areas inside of your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Annandale. Once that is done, for further safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

A lot of home appliances are built for the outdoors, like gas and charcoal grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Option

Extension cords can pose several noticeable risks, including:

The potential for loose connections that sometimes can lead to sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that might ruin the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that might result in electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the wire size. For example, a simple extension cord for a radio could have a 16-gauge cord while a larger cord for a air conditioner unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more power is lost enroute, this is referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and similar equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It is simple to guess that you know how to use your new home appliance without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for several reasons:

You should find out if your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn about features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn if the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.

You avoid the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to use a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy use. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For more tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Ready Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all popular home appliances!

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DIY Appliance Repair Tips
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