Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of your house make life much easier, but if you use appliances unsafely, they might pose evident risks. You should care for your appliances and ensure that they do not become hazards by following these appliance safety suggestions from Goff Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries related to home appliances. However, hazards might still occur. In the event a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a safety risk, call a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, so electrical cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power occur.

If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Once that is done, for further safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not designed for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Wet Areas

Many appliances are specially manufactured for the outdoors, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all of the outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics will help with this, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

Extension cords pose a lot of noticeable risks, including:

The chance for a loose connection that could cause sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that will ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, ensure it’s the appropriate gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge wire where a bigger cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.

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

Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your new appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the instructions is important for a lot of reasons:

You will want to find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn more about advanced features you would not have otherwise have known about.
You understand whether the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.

You do not have the frustration that can come from attempting to operate a home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them

You are able to stop unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other features while in standby mode.

Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Goff Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all popular household appliances!

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