The appliances inside your house can make life easier, but if you use household appliances unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. You will want to protect your appliances and make sure they do not become dangers by following these helpful appliance safety tips from Waukegan Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries due to household appliances. However, hazards might still occur. If a home appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, call a professional appliance repair Waukegan.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to moisture or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture don’t mix, so power cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in electricity arise.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside and around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Waukegan. After that, for further safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor use.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
Many home appliances are designed for the outdoors, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, electric tools and others – ensure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Option
Extension cords pose several risks, including:
The chance for a loose connection that could create sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, be sure it is the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For example, a electrical extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge wire whereas a larger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, also called voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and similar equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is simple to guess that you know how to operate your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will find out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known about.
You discover if the appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the extreme stress that can come from attempting to start a new appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, game systems, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.
For more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact Waukegan Appliance Repair. We can fix all major home appliances!
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