Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a house can make life much less stressful, but if you operate household appliances incorrectly, they might pose noticeable risks. You will want to maintain your appliances and ensure that they will not become hazards by following these helpful appliance safety tips from Payne Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken kitchen appliances. However, hazards might still happen. In the event a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, reach out to a professional appliance repair CITY.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not mix, that means electrical cords and wires should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity are detected.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside and around your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for additional safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate they are not meant for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas

Several appliances are manufactured for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all outlets and plugs are 100% dry. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution

An extension cord poses several evident risks, including:

The potential for a loose connection that can result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that would break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The probability of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it’s the right gauge for the home appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic electrical extension cord for a garden tool might have a 16-gauge wire whereas a larger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is lost on the way, something called voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to guess that you know how to operate a new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the manufacturer guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You will want to find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is good enough to support the new appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.

You learn about features you might not otherwise have known.
You learn if the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the frustration that can sometimes come from attempting to start a home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You are able to reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other features standby times.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background functions.

For more tips on using appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact Payne Appliance Repair. We can fix all major home appliances!

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