The appliances in a home can make life much less stressful, but if you use household appliances incorrectly, they could pose noticeable health risks. It is best to care for appliances and make sure they do not become hazards by adhering to these household appliance safety recommendations from Hesperia Appliance Repair Brothers.
The tips in this article can help to prevent fires and injuries from appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. If a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a local appliance repair Hesperia.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, so electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity arise.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp rooms inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Hesperia. Once that is done, for additional safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor areas.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Quite a few home appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution
Extension cords can pose a lot of evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might cause sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that could break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The potential for wires 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 short-term use, ensure that it is the right gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire while a larger cord for a air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is used up en route, a phenomenon known as voltage drop. Short cords are good for electric tools and equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is simple to guess that you know how to operate a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for many reasons:
You will want to find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand whether the appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the stress that can come from trying to operate a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact Hesperia Appliance Repair Brothers. Our technicians can repair all name brand home appliances!
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