The appliances in a house can make your life much easier, but when you operate appliances unsafely, they could pose significant risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they will not become dangers by adhering to these helpful appliance safety recommendations from Sparks Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, hire a professional appliance repair Sparks.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture don’t go together, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This particular type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power occur.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in damp rooms around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Sparks. Once that is done, for even more safety, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.
Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Many home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, power tools and others – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer
Extension cords can pose several evident risks, including:
The chance for loose connections that could create sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that may damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that might result in electrocution.
The potential for cords 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, be sure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For instance, a household extension cord for a garden tool will have a 16-gauge wire while a big cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone enroute, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will find out if your home’s electrical wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the frustration that can come from attempting to start a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you are not operating them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other energy-consuming features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Sparks Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all popular household appliances!
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