The appliances in a house make life much less stressful, but if you operate them incorrectly, they might produce evident risks. You should maintain appliances and be sure they won’t become hazards by adhering to these home appliance safety suggestions from Legacy Lawrence Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries from home appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. In the event an appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, call a local appliance repair Lawrence.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This special type of electrical outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power occur.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp rooms around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Lawrence. After that, for further safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas
Many home appliances are built for outdoor areas, like charcoal and gas grills. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer
An extension cord poses many noticeable risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that could cause sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power interruptions that may damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a garden tool might have a 16-gauge cord where a larger cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is lost enroute, also called voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are good for power tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn about complicated features you would not have otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them
You can reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, internet routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy use. Just remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For more tips on using appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Legacy Lawrence Appliance Repair. We can fix all common home appliances!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts