The appliances inside a home can make life much less stressful, but if you use them the wrong way, they might pose evident risks. You will want to care for appliances and ensure that they don’t become dangers by adhering to these appliance safety recommendations from Old Town Orange Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair Orange.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not mix, therefore power cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This particular type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity arise.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Orange. Once that is done, for even more safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Many home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor use, like gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of evident risks, including:
The likelihood of loose connections that could lead to sparks and a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that would damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For instance, a simple extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge cord where a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is gone enroute, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to guess that you know how to operate your brand new appliance without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise have known about.
You discover if the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to run a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You are able to limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For extra tips on using home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Old Town Orange Appliance Repair. We can fix all common household appliances!
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