The appliances in a house often make life much less stressful, but when you operate appliances incorrectly, they could pose noticeable risks. You should maintain appliances and make sure they will not become hazards by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety suggestions from Ideal Edison Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below can help prevent fires and injuries from broken household appliances. That being said, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair Edison.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity are detected.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet rooms inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Edison. After that, for safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas
Several home appliances are manufactured for outdoor use, like barbecue grills. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
Extension cords can pose a lot of potential risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might lead to sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that may ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that might cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a household extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge cord whereas a larger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is gone on the way, this is called voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is simple to guess that you know how to use a brand new appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for many reasons:
You should find out if your house’s wiring is enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the stress that can sometimes come from trying to start a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them
You can prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, timers and other features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For even more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Ideal Edison Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all name brand household appliances!
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