The appliances in a house can make your life much easier, but if you operate household appliances unsafely, they could create significant risks. It is best to protect your appliances and ensure that they will not turn into dangers by following these home appliance safety suggestions from H&H Denton Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries related to household appliances. However, hazards might still occur. If a home appliance has issues or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, hire a local appliance repair Denton.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not go together, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity occur.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas around your house, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Denton. Once that is done, for safety, heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Wet Areas
Several home appliances are manufactured for outdoor use, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you have electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and more – monitor that all of the cords and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer
An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, including:
The potential for a loose connection that could cause sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that might damage the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, make sure it’s the appropriate gauge for the home appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a simple electrical extension cord for a garden tool may have a 16-gauge cord whereas a big cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length is also important. The longer the extension cord, the more electricity is used up on the way, this is called voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to guess that you know how to use a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:
You should find out whether your home’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the new appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any current ones.
You learn about advanced features you might not otherwise known.
You understand whether the new appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You don’t have the extreme frustration that can sometimes come from trying to start a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-consuming features during standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to limit wasteful energy consumption. Just remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact H&H Denton Appliance Repair. We can fix all popular household appliances!
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