The appliances inside a house often make life easier, but if you use appliances the wrong way, they could pose noticeable health risks. It is important to protect appliances and be sure they do not turn into hazards by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety suggestions from Eastvale Appliance Repair.
The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries from home appliances. However, hazards could still happen. If a home appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Eastvale.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not mix, so electrical cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity arise.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Eastvale. Once that is done, for further safety measures, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
Some appliances are built for outdoor areas, like barbecue grills, for example. If you make us of electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all of the cords and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
Extension cords can pose many risks, this includes:
The chance for a loose connection that can cause sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that could break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that could result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For example, a household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire while a longer cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more power is gone enroute, this is called voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for power tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to guess that you know how to use your new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for several reasons:
You should find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You understand whether the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from trying to use a home appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you are not using them. This is because small appliances include LED signals, timers and other features while in standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Eastvale Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all popular home appliances!
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