The appliances in a home often make life easier, but if you use appliances unsafely, they could create evident health risks. You will want to maintain your appliances and ensure that they will not turn into hazards by following these home appliance safety suggestions from Spokane Valley Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post will help to prevent fires and injuries from broken household appliances. Even still, hazards might still happen. If an appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety concern, reach out to a appliance repair Spokane Valley.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, that means power cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This particular type of electrical outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Spokane Valley. After that, for safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas
Several appliances are manufactured for outdoor use, like barbecue grills, for example. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Option
Extension cords pose a lot of evident risks, including:
The potential for loose connections that could create sparks and a fire.
The chance of power interruptions that would ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that might result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the right gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a simple extension cord for a garden tool will have a 16-gauge cord where a larger cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the cord, the more power is gone enroute, this is called voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor 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 dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about features you might not otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the stress that can come from trying to start a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Spokane Valley Appliance Repair. We can repair all common household appliances!
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