Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home can make your life less stressful, but if you operate appliances incorrectly, they might produce significant risks. You should care for appliances and ensure that they don’t turn into dangers by following these helpful appliance safety recommendations from Able Reading Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this post help prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. However, hazards could still happen. In the event a home appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a professional appliance repair Reading.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, so power cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside and around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Reading. After that, for additional safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.

Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

Some home appliances are specially manufactured for the outdoors, like charcoal and gas grills. If you use electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all cords and outlets are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

Extension cords pose many evident risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that might lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that could damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For example, a extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost enroute, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It is easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is necessary for many reasons:

You should find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known.
You learn if the new appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.

You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You can reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances include LED signals, clocks and other features while in standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Able Reading Appliance Repair. We can repair all major household appliances!

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