The appliances inside your home make life much easier, but when you operate them the wrong way, they might produce noticeable health risks. It is best to maintain your appliances and ensure that they won’t become hazards by following these home appliance safety suggestions from First-Class Duluth Appliance Repair.
The tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries from home appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. If an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, hire a professional appliance repair Duluth.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in electricity arise.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Duluth. Once that is done, for additional safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Many appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
Extension cords can pose a lot of risks, including:
The potential for loose connections that might lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that may damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it’s the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a basic extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord while a bigger cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is used up enroute, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s easy to guess that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might have to install a circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known.
You learn if the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to use a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them
You can prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED lights, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact First-Class Duluth Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all name brand home appliances!
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