Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside your home often make your life much less stressful, but if you operate household appliances unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. You will want to maintain appliances and make sure they don’t turn into dangers by following these household appliance safety recommendations from G&C Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken kitchen appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call G&C Appliance Repair. Information here.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture don’t go together, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity arise.

If you do not have GFCI outlets in wet locations around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Encino. Once that is done, for even more safety, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor use.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas

Several home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

An extension cord poses many risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that could result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that can cause electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a basic extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire whereas a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It is obvious to guess that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the instructions is important for several reasons:

You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

You learn about features you would not have otherwise have known.
You discover whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.

You avoid the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to start a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You can reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For even more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact G&C Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all major household appliances!

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