The appliances inside of your house can make your life easier, but when you use them unsafely, they could create significant risks. It is important to care for your appliances and ensure that they will not become dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Pride Vacaville Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post will help prevent fires and injuries from broken kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, reach out to a professional appliance repair Vacaville.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity occur.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in wet locations around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Vacaville. Then, for even more safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
A lot of appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
Extension cords pose many noticeable risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that could lead to sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that would break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The potential for 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, be sure that it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For example, a basic electrical extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge wire whereas a big cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is used up on the way, also called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is easy to guess that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn about complicated features you might not otherwise known.
You discover whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can come from attempting to use a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Pride Vacaville Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all popular home appliances!
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