Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside a house can make life much easier, but when you use household appliances unsafely, they could produce evident risks. It is best to care for your appliances and make sure they do not turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful home appliance safety tips from Total Toledo Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken home appliances. However, hazards could still occur. In the event an appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes a safety concern, call a local appliance repair Toledo.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or water. As you are well aware, electricity and moisture do not mix, that means power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity occur.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp locations inside and around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Wet Areas

Quite a few appliances are specifically designed for outdoor use, like barbecue grills. If you make us of electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Solution

An extension cord poses several evident risks, this includes:

The potential for loose connections that could cause sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power fluctuations that will ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that could result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it is the correct gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For instance, a basic electrical extension cord for a garden tool will have a 16-gauge cord whereas a big cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also important. The longer the extension cord is, the more electricity is gone on the way, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Short extension cords are good for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It’s easy to guess that you know how to operate your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the instructions is necessary for several reasons:

You should find out if your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You might need to install a new circuit to stop overloading any current ones.

You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
You learn whether the appliance is OK for outdoor areas or not.

You avoid the extreme stress that can come from attempting to start a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used

You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other features during standby mode.

Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, video game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.

For even more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to schedule a professional appliance repair company, please contact Total Toledo Appliance Repair. We can fix all common household appliances!

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