Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house make life easier, but when you operate them unsafely, they could produce noticeable risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they will not become dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety tips from Warwick Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries from broken kitchen appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, hire a professional appliance repair Warwick.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This particular type of electrical outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity occur.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Warwick. After that, for additional safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor areas.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water

Several appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – ensure that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses a lot of noticeable risks, including:

The likelihood of loose connections that can result in sparks and a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that will break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that might result in electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a simple extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for several reasons:

You will want to find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn about advanced features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.

You do not have the frustration that can come from attempting to run a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You can stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other features standby mode.

Unplug TVs, monitors, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.

For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Warwick Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all name brand household appliances!

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