Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of your house make your life easier, but if you use them the wrong way, they could produce significant health risks. You should maintain your appliances and ensure that they won’t become dangers by adhering to these appliance safety tips from ASAP Appliance Repair.

The tips in this article help prevent fires and injuries due to broken kitchen appliances. However, hazards can still happen. In the event a home appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, call a professional appliance repair Simi Valley.

GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to moisture or water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, therefore power cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This special type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in electricity occur.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in damp rooms inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Simi Valley. After that, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

Some appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

Extension cords can pose several noticeable risks, this includes:

The likelihood of loose connections that can result in sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that might ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that could result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, ensure it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic extension cord for a radio will have a 16-gauge wire where a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner needs a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more power is used up enroute, a phenomenon called voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for power tools and outdoor equipment.

Be Sure to Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It is simple to assume that you know how to operate a new appliance without consulting the operating manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for several reasons:

You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is enough to power the appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.

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

You do not have the frustration that can come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can reduce unnecessary energy usage by unplugging small appliances when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby times.

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, video game systems, cellphone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.

For additional tips on how to use home appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair company, please contact ASAP Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all common household appliances!

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