Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home can make life much easier, but if you use household appliances unsafely, they could pose evident risks. It is important to protect your appliances and be sure they do not become hazards by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety suggestions from Calhoun Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries related to appliances. However, hazards could still occur. 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 Damp Locations in a Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore electrical cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This special type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in electricity occur.

If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.

Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water

Several appliances are specially manufactured for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – be sure that all plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution

Extension cords pose several noticeable risks, this includes:

• The likelihood of loose connections that can lead to sparks and cause a fire.
• The chance of power fluctuations that might damage the appliance.
• Increased vulnerability to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
• The chance of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality 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 electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the cord size. For example, a simple extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire where a larger cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost enroute, also referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for power tools and equipment.

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

It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for several reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about features you would not have otherwise known.
You understand if the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a new home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can limit unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED signals, timers and other features while in standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For even more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Calhoun Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all common home appliances!

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