Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house can make your life much less stressful, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could produce evident risks. It is important to care for appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety suggestions from Buckner Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article will help prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. However, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, so power cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This special type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power are detected.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for additional safety, be sure to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

Several appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that might lead to sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that would break the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, be sure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge cord where a big cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, this is called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for electric tools and outdoor equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It’s obvious to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but reading the instructions is important for many reasons:

You should find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise have known.
You understand whether the appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.

You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from trying to use a appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them

You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other energy-consuming features standby times.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Buckner Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major household appliances!

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