The appliances inside of a home often make life less stressful, but when you use them the wrong way, they could create significant risks. It is best to protect your appliances and be sure they don’t become dangers by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety recommendations from Albany Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below help prevent fires and injuries from broken home appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, call a appliance repair Albany.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to moisture or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t mix, so power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity arise.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Albany. Then, for additional safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not meant for outdoor use.
Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Quite a few appliances are manufactured for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Option
Extension cords pose several risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that could damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The probability of cords 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 short-term use, be sure it is the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire whereas a bigger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more power is used up on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Shorter extension cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to guess that you know how to use your new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is enough to power the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn more about features you would not have otherwise have known.
You discover if the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from attempting to operate a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact Albany Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all popular home appliances!
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