Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a home can make your life much easier, but when you use appliances the wrong way, they might pose noticeable health risks. It is important to care for your appliances and be sure they do not turn into dangers by following these household appliance safety suggestions from Weatherford Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries due to appliances. However, hazards could still occur. If a home appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, hire a appliance repair Weatherford.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not go together, that means electrical cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power arise.

If you do not have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Weatherford. Then, for safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.

Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas

Many appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses many noticeable risks, this includes:

The likelihood of loose connections that might result in sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that could damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that might cause electrocution.
The chance of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the cord size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord where a bigger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost enroute, also known as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.

Always Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase

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

You should find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might need to install a circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the new appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.

You avoid the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to start a appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use

You are able to limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby mode.

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

For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Weatherford Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all major household appliances!

OTHER RESOURCES:

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