The appliances in a house often make your life much easier, but if you operate them unsafely, they could pose significant risks. You should care for appliances and be sure they will not become dangers by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Orem Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from home appliances. However, hazards can still happen. If an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, reach out to a local appliance repair Orem.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.
If you do not have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Orem. Then, for even more safety measures, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate a household appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
Several home appliances are specifically manufactured for the outdoors, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – be sure that all outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution
Extension cords pose many risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that sometimes can result in sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that would break the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that may result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the cord size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a garden tool might have a 16-gauge wire where a big cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also important. The longer the cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for power tools and equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate a new home appliance without consulting the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will want to find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn if the appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You are able to limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features standby mode.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.
For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Orem Appliance Repair. We can repair all common household appliances!
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