Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house make life much easier, but if you use them incorrectly, they could create significant health risks. You should maintain your appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful appliance safety suggestions from Vaughn’s Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article will help prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair CITY.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, so electrical cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity occur.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in wet rooms around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. After that, for even more safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas

Some home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, like barbecue grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

Extension cords pose a lot of risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that sometimes can create sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that could ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a basic extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone enroute, something referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.

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

It is obvious to assume that you know how to operate a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for a lot of reasons:

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

You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You learn if the appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to run a home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you are not operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED indicators, clocks and other features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For even more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Vaughn’s Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand home appliances!

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