Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of your house make your life less stressful, but if you operate them incorrectly, they could create evident risks. You will want to protect your appliances and ensure that they will not become dangers by following these helpful household appliance safety recommendations from Elizabeth Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries related to appliances. However, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a local appliance repair Elizabeth.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, so power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power occur.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Elizabeth. After that, for additional safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water

Many appliances are manufactured for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

Extension cords can pose several risks, this includes:

The potential for loose connections that sometimes can cause sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that may damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that may result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a basic household extension cord for a garden tool will have a 16-gauge wire where a big cord for a air conditioner unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and similar equipment.

Always Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It is obvious to assume that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You may have to install a circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn more about features you would not have otherwise known about.
You learn whether the appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the frustration that can come from attempting to use a home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use

You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy usage. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Elizabeth Appliance Repair. We can fix all name brand home appliances!

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