The appliances inside of a home often make your life much less stressful, but if you operate household appliances the wrong way, they could pose noticeable risks. You will want to protect appliances and make sure they don’t become hazards by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Express Centreville Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post will help prevent fires and injuries due to kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Centreville.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power arise.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Centreville. Once that is done, for additional safety measures, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Some appliances are specially designed for the outdoors, like barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
Extension cords can pose a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The chance for a loose connection that might lead to sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that will ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that could cause electrocution.
The probability of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord while a larger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is gone on the way, this is referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It’s easy to assume that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for many reasons:
You will find out if your home’s wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You may have to install a circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known.
You discover whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You can stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. But remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Express Centreville Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand household appliances!
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