The appliances inside a house can make life less stressful, but when you use them unsafely, they might pose significant health risks. It is best to protect your appliances and be sure they don’t turn into hazards by following these helpful household appliance safety recommendations from Santa Maria Appliance Repair.
The tips below help prevent fires and injuries from broken home appliances. However, hazards might still happen. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, hire a appliance repair Santa Maria.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible wetness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t go together, so power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This particular type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.
If you do not already have GFCI outlets in damp areas inside and around your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Santa Maria. Then, for further safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Many home appliances are designed for outdoor areas, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you use any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – monitor that all plugs and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Option
Extension cords can pose several potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that might result in sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that may damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that may result in electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When determining an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For example, a extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord while a big cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to assume that you know how to operate a brand new appliance without consulting the manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to support the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn about features you would not have otherwise have known about.
You understand if the appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You can prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other energy-consuming features standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.
For even more tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Santa Maria Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand household appliances!
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