The appliances inside of a house can make your life much less stressful, but if you operate appliances unsafely, they could create noticeable risks. It is best to maintain appliances and ensure that they don’t become hazards by following these household appliance safety suggestions from Smithtown Appliance Repair.
The tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards can still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a safety issue, call a professional appliance repair Smithtown.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to possible wetness or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t mix, therefore electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power occur.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Smithtown. Once that is done, for further safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that a household appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas
Many appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, like gas and charcoal grills. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics will help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option
An extension cord poses several evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that can break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The odds 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 limited-time use, ensure that it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For instance, a electrical extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is lost enroute, something called voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is easy to guess that you know how to operate your brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:
You should find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn about complicated features you would not have otherwise have known.
You learn if the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to use a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You are able to stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances include LED lights, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair company, please contact Smithtown Appliance Repair. We can fix all major home appliances!
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