The appliances in your house often make life less stressful, but if you use appliances the wrong way, they could produce significant health risks. You will want to protect appliances and ensure that they won’t become dangers by adhering to these appliance safety tips from Federal Way Appliance Repair.
The tips below help to prevent fires and injuries related to kitchen appliances. That being said, hazards can still happen. In the event an appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety issue, hire a appliance repair Federal Way.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power arise.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Federal Way. Once that is done, for even more safety, you will want to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
Many appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, along with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
Extension cords can pose several risks, including:
The likelihood of a loose connection that could create sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that will ruin the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The likelihood of wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for short-term use, be sure it is the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a simple household extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge wire where a larger cord for a AC unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is used up enroute, also known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for electric tools and similar equipment.
Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase
It is simple to assume that you know how to operate your new appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for several reasons:
You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You may have to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover if the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a new appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other features during standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy use. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.
For even more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Federal Way Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all common household appliances!
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