The appliances inside your home often make life much easier, but if you use them unsafely, they might produce significant risks. It is important to care for your appliances and make sure they don’t turn into dangers by adhering to these appliance safety recommendations from Premiere Plantation Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. If an appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Plantation.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity occur.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside of your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Plantation. Once that is done, for safety, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water
Quite a few home appliances are designed for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – monitor that all of the plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
An extension cord poses a lot of evident risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that could lead to sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that may ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For instance, a household extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is gone on the way, something known as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It’s obvious to guess that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise known about.
You understand whether the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to start a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You can prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy use. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For even more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Premiere Plantation Appliance Repair. We can fix all major home appliances!
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