The appliances in your house can make life much less stressful, but if you operate appliances incorrectly, they might produce significant health risks. You should maintain appliances and ensure that they don’t become dangers by following these appliance safety suggestions from Triumph Thornton Appliance Repair.
The tips below can help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken kitchen appliances. However, hazards can still happen. If an appliance has problems or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, call a local appliance repair Thornton.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to moisture or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t go together, therefore power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This particular type of electrical outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in wet areas around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Thornton. Then, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
A lot of home appliances are specially designed for the outdoors, like barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, power tools and others – monitor that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
Extension cords can pose a lot of noticeable risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that might result in sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that will damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For example, a extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord while a bigger cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is lost enroute, something known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are advised for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to guess that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You may have to install a circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn about features you might not otherwise have known about.
You learn whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to run a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy usage. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.
For extra tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact Triumph Thornton Appliance Repair. We can repair all common home appliances!
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