Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home make your life much less stressful, but if you operate them incorrectly, they might pose noticeable risks. It is important to maintain your appliances and make sure they do not turn into hazards by following these home appliance safety tips from Choice Carmel Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. If an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a appliance repair Carmel.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power arise.

If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Carmel. After that, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas

A lot of home appliances are manufactured for the outdoors, like barbecue grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution

An extension cord poses several noticeable risks, including:

The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that can damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, make sure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For example, a simple extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord where a bigger cord for a air conditioner unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, also referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:

You will want to find out if your house’s electrical wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You understand whether the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.

You do not have the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to start a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances include LED lights, timers and other features during standby times.

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Choice Carmel Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common household appliances!

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