Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a house can make life less stressful, but when you operate them incorrectly, they might produce evident health risks. It is best to care for appliances and make sure they don’t become hazards by adhering to these household appliance safety suggestions from Guthrie Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article will help prevent fires and injuries from appliances. However, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, hire a professional appliance repair.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, so electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.

If you do not have GFCI outlets in damp areas inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for additional safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.

Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

A lot of appliances are specifically built for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills. If you use electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution

An extension cord poses many evident risks, including:

The chance for loose connections that can create sparks and a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that can damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The chance of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire where a longer cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

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

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

It is obvious to assume that you know how to use a new appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for several reasons:

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

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You learn if the new appliance is OK for outdoor use or not.

You avoid the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a new home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, timers and other features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Guthrie Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major home appliances!

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