Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of a home often make your life less stressful, but when you operate appliances the wrong way, they might produce evident risks. You should protect your appliances and be sure they don’t become hazards by following these appliance safety tips from Patriot Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries related to broken household appliances. That being said, hazards might still occur. In the event an appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Old Bridge.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not go together, that means electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity are detected.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Old Bridge. After that, for additional safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Wet Areas

Many appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

An extension cord poses several noticeable risks, this includes:

The potential for a loose connection that could cause sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that could damage the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that might lead to electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it is the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the wire. For instance, a simple extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge cord whereas a larger cord for a air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is used up on the way, something called voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and outdoor equipment.

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

It is easy to guess that you know how to use a new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:

You will find out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.

You learn more about complicated features you would not have otherwise known about.
You learn if the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.

You don’t have the stress that can sometimes come from trying to run a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You are able to reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy use. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.

For more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact Patriot Appliance Repair. We can repair all major home appliances!

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