The appliances inside a home can make your life much less stressful, but if you use household appliances unsafely, they might pose significant health risks. It is best to protect appliances and be sure they do not become dangers by adhering to these household appliance safety suggestions from Chico Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries due to home appliances. Even still, hazards can still happen. In the event a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, call a appliance repair Chico.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, therefore power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity occur.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside of your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Chico. After that, for safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that a home appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Many home appliances are specifically built for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all plugs and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses several risks, including:
The chance for loose connections that sometimes can cause sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that would break the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The chance of cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it’s the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge wire where a longer cord for a air conditioner unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost en route, also known as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is easy to guess that you know how to use a new appliance without reading the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for many reasons:
You should find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You understand if the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features standby times.
Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For extra tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Chico Appliance Repair. We can fix all major home appliances!
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