The appliances in your home can make life much less stressful, but when you use them incorrectly, they might create evident health risks. You should maintain appliances and ensure that they will not turn into hazards by following these helpful home appliance safety tips from Prime Henderson Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post will help to prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a professional appliance repair Henderson.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Henderson. Once that is done, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Some home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – be sure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
Extension cords can pose several evident risks, this includes:
The chance for loose connections that sometimes can cause sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that will damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a garden tool will have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for electric tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate a brand new home appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You will want to find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about complicated features you would not have otherwise known.
You learn if the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to run a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You can prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For additional tips on using home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Prime Henderson Appliance Repair. We can repair all name brand household appliances!
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