The appliances in your home often make your life easier, but when you operate them unsafely, they might pose noticeable risks. You should care for your appliances and be sure they won’t turn into hazards by following these home appliance safety suggestions from Accurate Gilbert Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article will help prevent fires and injuries from broken home appliances. However, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, call a company for appliance repair in Gilbert Arizona.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t mix, so power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity occur.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in wet rooms around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Gilbert. After that, for even more safety, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Wet Areas
Some home appliances are manufactured for the outdoors, like barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
An extension cord poses a lot of risks, this includes:
The potential for loose connections that might cause sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that can damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure that it is the right gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For example, a extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge wire whereas a bigger cord for a air conditioner unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost en-route, also called voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for electric tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate your brand new home appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is necessary for many reasons:
You will want to find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You might have to install a circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about features you would not have otherwise have known.
You discover if the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can come from trying to operate a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug TVs, monitors, internet routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.
For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact Accurate Gilbert Appliance Repair. We can repair all major home appliances!
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