Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a house make life less stressful, but when you operate them unsafely, they could produce noticeable risks. You will want to care for your appliances and ensure that they won’t become dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety suggestions from A&L Appliance Repair.

The tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries related to household appliances. That being said, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety concern, reach out for appliance repair in Escondido California.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can besusceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water do not mix, therefore power cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity arise.

If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Escondido. Then, for safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

A lot of appliances are specially designed for the outdoors, like gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all of the outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses many risks, this includes:

The chance for loose connections that could lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that might break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The chance of cords 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, make sure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the cord size. For example, a basic electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire where a longer cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is gone on the way, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It is obvious to guess that you know how to operate a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:

You will want to find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.

You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise have known.
You understand whether the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other features during standby times.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For even more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact A&L Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major household appliances!

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts