Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house often make your life much less stressful, but when you operate them the wrong way, they could produce noticeable risks. It is important to protect appliances and be sure they won’t become hazards by adhering to these household appliance safety recommendations from D&D Worcester Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help prevent fires and injuries from appliances. However, hazards could still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety concern, hire a appliance repair Worcester.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This special type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity occur.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets in wet locations around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Worcester. Once that is done, for additional safety, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a household appliance is not for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Wet Areas

Many appliances are specifically designed for the outdoors, such as barbecue grills. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the outlets and cords are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option

An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, including:

The likelihood of loose connections that could result in sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that can damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure it is the appropriate gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For instance, a electrical extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord while a longer cord for a air conditioner unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is used up enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It is simple to guess that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is important for several reasons:

You will want to find out if your home’s wiring is enough to support the new appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise known about.
You discover if the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the frustration that can come from trying to use a appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby mode.

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, video game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For extra tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact D&D Worcester Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all major household appliances!

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