The appliances in a home make life easier, but if you use them incorrectly, they could pose significant health risks. You should protect your appliances and make sure they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety tips from Lee’s Summit Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries due to kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. If an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair Lee’s Summit.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not go together, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in power occur.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet areas inside of your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Lee’s Summit. Then, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water
Several home appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Option
An extension cord poses many risks, including:
The chance for loose connections that could cause sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that would ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it’s the right gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For example, a household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge wire where a longer cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is used up on the way, also known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is simple to assume that you know how to use your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but reading the instructions is important for several reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn about 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 extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a new home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You can limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you are not operating them. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby times.
Unplug televisions, computer monitors, routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy use. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.
For more tips on using appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair service, please contact Lee’s Summit Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all name brand household appliances!
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