Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home often make life much less stressful, but if you operate appliances the wrong way, they could pose noticeable health risks. It is best to care for appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by following these household appliance safety recommendations from Mann Appliance Repair.

The tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair CITY.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t mix, that means electrical cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This special type of electrical outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power occur.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in damp rooms around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

A lot of home appliances are specifically built for outdoor areas, like gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the plugs and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Option

Extension cords can pose several evident risks, this includes:

The potential for loose connections that might cause sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that could damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple extension cord for a radio could have a 16-gauge cord whereas a longer cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost on the way, this is referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and similar equipment.

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

It’s easy to guess that you know how to use your brand new appliance without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:

You will find out if your house’s electrical wiring is enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.

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

You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to operate a new home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You can reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Mann Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand household appliances!

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