Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house can make your life much easier, but if you use them incorrectly, they might pose significant risks. You should protect appliances and ensure that they will not turn into hazards by adhering to these helpful appliance safety suggestions from Shoreline Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries due to appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. If an appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair Orange County.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or water. Of course, electricity and water do not mix, that means power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

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

If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Orange County. After that, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water

Quite a few home appliances are specially designed for outdoor areas, like barbecue grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

An extension cord poses many evident risks, including:

• The potential for a loose connection that can result in sparks and start a fire.
• The likelihood of power inconsistencies that might break the appliance.
• Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that might result in electrocution.
• The likelihood of cords overheating and becoming 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 that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.

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

It’s simple to assume that you know how to use a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is important for many reasons:

You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You may have to install a circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise known.
You discover whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.

You avoid the frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to use a appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You can reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby times.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For additional tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact BRAND. We can repair all name brand household appliances!

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