Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house can make life much less stressful, but when you operate them unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. It is best to care for your appliances and make sure they won’t become hazards by following these appliance safety suggestions from Cain Appliance Repair.

The tips below help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. Even still, hazards might still occur. In the event a home appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, call a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, that means power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This special type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for even more safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not designed for outdoor use.

Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water

Many home appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer

Extension cords can pose many potential risks, including:

The chance for loose connections that could create sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that could damage the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that might result in electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a simple household extension cord for a lamp may have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is used up enroute, also referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:

You will find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand if the new appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.

You don’t have the frustration that can come from trying to operate a appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them

You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you aren’t using them. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby times.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy use. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For extra tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Cain Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all common household appliances!

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