The appliances in a home often make your life less stressful, but if you operate household appliances incorrectly, they might produce evident health risks. You should protect your appliances and make sure they will not turn into dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Key Glendale Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from household appliances. However, hazards could still happen. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety issue, call a appliance repair Glendale.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, that means power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power are detected.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside and around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Glendale. After that, for safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not meant for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas
Quite a few home appliances are manufactured for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that sometimes can cause sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power inconsistencies that will ruin the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, make sure it is the right gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a basic extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire whereas a big cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, this is known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is easy to assume that you know how to use a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the stress that can come from attempting to start a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy usage. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Key Glendale Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all name brand household appliances!
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