Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of your house can make your life easier, but if you use them incorrectly, they could pose significant risks. You should protect your appliances and make sure they do not turn into dangers by following these home appliance safety recommendations from Horizon Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, hire a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t mix, so power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in electricity occur.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in wet areas inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

Some home appliances are designed for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution

Extension cords pose a lot of potential risks, this includes:

The potential for loose connections that might result in sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that could ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the cord size. For example, a extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire whereas a longer cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is lost enroute, something known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and equipment.

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

It’s obvious to guess that you know how to operate your brand new home appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the instructions is important for several reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is enough to power the appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise known about.
You discover if the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.

You avoid the frustration that can come from trying to start a home appliance without instructions!

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

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

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For additional tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact Horizon Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common household appliances!

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