The appliances inside of a house often make life less stressful, but when you operate appliances incorrectly, they could create evident risks. It is important to protect your appliances and make sure they don’t become hazards by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety tips from Manchester Appliance Repair.
The tips below will help to prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair Manchester.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to wetness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, that means electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power arise.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Manchester. After that, for further safety, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor areas.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Damp Areas
Quite a few appliances are specially manufactured for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and more – ensure that all cords and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
An extension cord poses many potential risks, this includes:
The chance for loose connections that could result in sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that will damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that may lead to electrocution.
The probability of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for short-term use, make sure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more power is gone on the way, something known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for power tools and outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is simple to guess that you know how to operate a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You might need to install a circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise known.
You understand whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features standby mode.
Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy use. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on using appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Manchester Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all name brand household appliances!
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