The appliances in a home make your life much easier, but if you use appliances the wrong way, they might pose significant health risks. It is best to protect your appliances and be sure they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these home appliance safety recommendations from Action Mansfield Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below will help prevent fires and injuries from appliances. That being said, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance has problems or malfunctions and becomes dangerous, call a appliance repair Mansfield.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not go together, so power cords should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This special type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power arise.
If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Mansfield. Once that is done, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Away From Wet Areas
Many home appliances are built for the outdoors, like barbecue grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and others – be sure that all cords and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer
Extension cords can pose many noticeable risks, including:
The chance for a loose connection that might create sparks and cause a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that could damage the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that could result in electrocution.
The odds of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an insufficient extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it is the right gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord while a bigger cord for a air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also important. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up on the way, also known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are recommended for electric tools and similar equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy
It is easy to guess that you know how to operate a new appliance without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will find out if your house’s electrical wiring is enough to power the new appliance. You may have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.
You learn about features you might not otherwise have known about.
You discover if the new appliance is intended for outdoor areas or not.
You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to start a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use
You can reduce unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances often include LED signals, clocks and other features while in standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to cut back on wasteful energy usage. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.
For even more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair company, please contact Action Mansfield Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all common household appliances!
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