The appliances in a home make your life much less stressful, but when you operate them unsafely, they could create noticeable risks. It is best to protect your appliances and make sure they don’t turn into hazards by following these home appliance safety suggestions from Council Bluffs Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries from kitchen appliances. That being said, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair Council Bluffs.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Council Bluffs. After that, for additional safety, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Many appliances are manufactured for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:
The chance for a loose connection that sometimes can create sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that may break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that may result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it’s the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the cord size. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge wire while a larger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to assume that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the instructions is important for several reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to support the appliance. You might need to install a circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You discover whether the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the stress that can sometimes come from trying to start a new home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You can limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not operating them. This is because small appliances include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features standby times.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy use. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.
For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Council Bluffs Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand household appliances!
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