The appliances in your house make your life easier, but if you operate appliances incorrectly, they might create noticeable health risks. It is best to care for appliances and be sure they won’t become dangers by adhering to these helpful appliance safety tips from United Lynn Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards could still happen. If a home appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Lynn.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to wetness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture don’t mix, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This type of electrical outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Lynn. Then, for additional safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate a household appliance is not meant for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Many home appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
An extension cord poses a lot of evident risks, this includes:
The likelihood of a loose connection that can result in sparks and a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that may ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a lamp might have a 16-gauge cord whereas a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone on the way, also known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and similar equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s easy to guess that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You will want to find out if your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to prevent overloading any existing ones.
You learn about features you might not otherwise known about.
You understand if the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the stress that can sometimes come from trying to operate a appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You are able to prevent unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby times.
Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their background features.
For more tips on using appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair service, please contact United Lynn Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all name brand home appliances!
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