The appliances in a house often make life much easier, but if you use them the wrong way, they could pose evident risks. You will want to protect appliances and be sure they do not turn into dangers by following these appliance safety tips from Next Noblesville Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries related to appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. In the event a home appliance has issues or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Noblesville.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in power are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets in wet locations inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Noblesville. Then, for safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not for outdoor areas.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Water
Quite a few home appliances are manufactured for the outdoors, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option
Extension cords can pose several potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that could lead to sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that may break the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to water penetration that could result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it is the correct gauge for the appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the cord size. For example, a basic household extension cord for a radio might have a 16-gauge wire while a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more power is gone on the way, this is known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is obvious to guess that you know how to use a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for many reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is good enough to power the new appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about advanced features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the frustration that can sometimes come from trying to start a new appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, video game consoles, phone chargers and more to cut back on unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it is alright 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 Next Noblesville Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all major home appliances!
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