The appliances inside your house often make your life easier, but when you operate them incorrectly, they might create noticeable health risks. It is best to protect appliances and make sure they won’t become hazards by following these helpful home appliance safety suggestions from Duncan Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post can help to prevent fires and injuries from household appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. In the event an appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, hire a local appliance repair Jersey City.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t mix, therefore power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in electricity arise.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp areas around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Jersey City. After that, for even more safety, heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Quite a few appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all of the plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics help, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution
An extension cord poses several potential risks, this includes:
The chance for a loose connection that might lead to sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that may damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The chance of cords overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For example, a electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire while a bigger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost enroute, this is referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are recommended for power tools and similar equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You should find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn more about complicated features you would not have otherwise known.
You discover whether the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.
You avoid the stress that can come from trying to operate a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, timers and other energy-draining features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background functions.
For additional tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact Duncan Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major home appliances!
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