Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your home can make your life much less stressful, but if you use household appliances the wrong way, they might create evident risks. It is important to care for your appliances and be sure they don’t become hazards by adhering to these helpful appliance safety suggestions from Esteem Appliance Repair.

The tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. However, hazards could still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power arise.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp rooms around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not meant for outdoor use.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas

Many home appliances are built for outdoor areas, like gas and charcoal grills. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all plugs and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution

An extension cord poses several risks, this includes:

The potential for loose connections that can cause sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that will ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that could result in electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a household extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire where a big cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

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

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate your new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.

You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You discover whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from attempting to run a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You can reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other features standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Esteem Appliance Repair. We can fix all popular home appliances!

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