The appliances inside a house make your life much less stressful, but when you operate appliances the wrong way, they could produce significant health risks. It is important to care for your appliances and be sure they won’t turn into dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety recommendations from Moreno Valley Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post can help prevent fires and injuries due to kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a danger, call a appliance repair Moreno Valley.
GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home
Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to possible moisture or water. Of course, electricity and water do not go together, so power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in electricity are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in damp locations around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Moreno Valley. After that, for even more safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Damp Areas
Some appliances are specifically manufactured for outdoor use, like barbecue grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – be sure that all outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics will help, in addition to GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer
An extension cord poses several evident risks, including:
The potential for loose connections that sometimes can cause sparks and start a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that might damage the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to moisture penetration that can result in electrocution.
The likelihood of wires 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 short-term use, ensure it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the cord size. For example, a basic household extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire whereas a longer cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is used up on the way, also called voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It is easy to assume that you know how to use a brand new appliance without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will want to find out whether your home’s wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You might have to install a new circuit to prevent overloading your current ones.
You learn about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You discover if the appliance is safe for outdoor locations or not.
You do not have the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to operate a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances if You Aren’t Using Them
You can limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you are not operating them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, timers and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it is worthwhile to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their background features.
For additional tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Moreno Valley Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major home appliances!
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