The appliances in your home often make your life much easier, but when you use household appliances the wrong way, they might create significant health risks. It is best to maintain your appliances and be sure they don’t turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety tips from QuickFix Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below will help prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. However, hazards might still occur. If an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, call a professional appliance repair Sioux City.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This particular type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power occur.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside of your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Sioux City. Once that is done, for further safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
Several appliances are built for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all plugs and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution
Extension cords pose a lot of risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that could cause sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that will damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the cord size. For instance, a simple extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge wire where a big cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more power is gone on the way, something called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for electric tools and equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s obvious to assume that you know how to use a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn about complicated features you would not have otherwise known.
You discover if the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For more tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact QuickFix Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major household appliances!
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