Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of your house can make life less stressful, but if you operate them the wrong way, they could pose evident risks. It is best to maintain your appliances and be sure they will not turn into dangers by following these appliance safety recommendations from Halo Appliance Repair.

The tips below help prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards could still happen. If an appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a professional appliance repair CITY.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, that means power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power occur.

If you do not have GFCI outlets in wet rooms around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for even more safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.

Electrical Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas

Some home appliances are designed for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – be sure that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics will help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses many evident risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that might cause sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that may ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The likelihood of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it’s the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge cord while a larger cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is used up enroute, something known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for power tools and outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

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

You should find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You may have to install a circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You learn whether the appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to operate a appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy usage. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For additional tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Halo Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common household appliances!

OTHER RESOURCES:

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