Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house can make your life much easier, but if you operate household appliances unsafely, they might create noticeable risks. You will want to protect your appliances and make sure they won’t turn into hazards by following these appliance safety recommendations from Select Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries from household appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, reach out to a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, so power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This particular type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in power arise.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets in wet rooms inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for further safety, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor areas.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

Several home appliances are specially built for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer

Extension cords can pose a lot of noticeable risks, this includes:

The potential for a loose connection that might create sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that may break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that could cause electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the cord size. For example, a electrical extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge cord while a bigger cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is gone on the way, something known as voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and outdoor equipment.

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

It is obvious to guess that you know how to use a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for many reasons:

You will find out whether your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.

You don’t have the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to use a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.

For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Select Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular household appliances!

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts