The appliances inside of your house make your life much easier, but when you use household appliances the wrong way, they could pose evident risks. It is important to protect appliances and be sure they won’t turn into hazards by following these appliance safety suggestions from ARRC Redlands Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. However, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, call a appliance repair Redlands.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, that means electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power occur.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Redlands. Then, for even more safety, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Some home appliances are specially manufactured for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all cords and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, 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 might cause sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that may ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can cause electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, be sure that it’s the right gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For example, a electrical extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge cord whereas a longer cord for a air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric 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 washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might need to install a circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You discover if the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy use. But remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact ARRC Redlands Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all major household appliances!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts
Copyright ©2024 ARRC Redlands Appliance Repair