The appliances in your house often make your life much less stressful, but when you use them incorrectly, they might pose noticeable health risks. You should maintain appliances and be sure they do not turn into dangers by following these helpful home appliance safety tips from Express Irvine Appliance Repair.
The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. If an appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a appliance repair Irvine.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in a Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water do not go together, therefore power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any imbalances in power are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in Irvine. After that, for additional safety measures, you will want to heed the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate a household appliance is not designed for outdoor use.
Wires, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
A lot of appliances are specially built for the outdoors, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – ensure that all cords and outlets are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Solution
Extension cords pose several potential risks, this includes:
The likelihood of loose connections that could create sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power fluctuations that might ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that may cause electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, make sure that it is the right gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the wire size. For instance, a simple extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge cord whereas a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, something known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are good for electric tools and similar equipment.
Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is easy to guess that you know how to operate your new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for a lot of reasons:
You will want to find out whether your house’s wiring is enough to support the appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand whether the appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.
You avoid the stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use
You are able to stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, timers and other energy-consuming features while in standby times.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy use. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For additional tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a local appliance repair service, please contact Express Irvine Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular home appliances!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts
Copyright ©2024 Express Irvine Appliance Repair