The appliances inside your home make life much easier, but if you operate appliances unsafely, they might produce evident health risks. You should maintain appliances and make sure they will not become dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety suggestions from Express Vista Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article help prevent fires and injuries from broken kitchen appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a local appliance repair Vista.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power arise.
If you do not have GFCI outlets in wet areas inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Vista. Once that is done, for safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Many home appliances are built for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of noticeable risks, including:
The chance for loose connections that sometimes can create sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that could cause electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire where a larger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord is, the more power is lost on the way, also called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are recommended for electric tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is simple to assume that you know how to operate your new home appliance without reading the operating manual, but reading the instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out if your house’s wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise have known about.
You understand whether the new appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the stress that can come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances often include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact Express Vista Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all major household appliances!
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