Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a house can make your life much easier, but if you use appliances incorrectly, they might pose significant health risks. It is best to care for your appliances and ensure that they do not become dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Wright Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries from household appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not go together, that means power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity are detected.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in damp locations around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for even more safety measures, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor use.

Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Damp Areas

A lot of home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor use, like barbecue grills. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all of the outlets and cords are dry. Weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

An extension cord poses several evident risks, including:

The likelihood of a loose connection that could result in sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that could damage the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure it’s the right gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge wire whereas a longer cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, something called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It is easy to assume that you know how to operate your new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is necessary for many reasons:

You will find out if your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the new appliance. You may have to install a circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You discover if the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.

You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them

You can prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy use. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.

For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Wright Appliance Repair. We can repair all major household appliances!

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