Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home make your life less stressful, but if you operate appliances the wrong way, they could create evident health risks. It is important to maintain appliances and be sure they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety suggestions from Accolade Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. However, hazards might still occur. If a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t go together, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity are detected.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor use.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Damp Areas

Many appliances are specifically manufactured for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the outlets and cords are dry. Weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

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

The likelihood of a loose connection that can lead to sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that could ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that might result in electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure that it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For example, a electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge cord where a longer cord for a air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more power is lost on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and similar equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate your new home appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You may have to install a circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

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

You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to start a new home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You can prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.

For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Accolade Appliance Repair. We can repair all major home appliances!

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