Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside your home make life much less stressful, but if you operate them unsafely, they could pose significant risks. It is important to care for appliances and be sure they won’t become dangers by adhering to these helpful appliance safety tips from Hialeah Appliance Repair.

The professional tips in this post help prevent fires and injuries related to appliances. Even still, hazards could still occur. In the event a home appliance breaks or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a appliance repair Hialeah.

GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in a Home

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas are all susceptible to possible dampness or water. As you well know, electricity and water do not mix, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.

This particular type of outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in power occur.

If you do not have GFCI outlets installed in wet areas inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Hialeah. Then, for safety, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a household appliance is not designed for outdoor use.

Electrical Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

Several appliances are designed for outdoor areas, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all of the cords and outlets are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution

Extension cords can pose many noticeable risks, including:

The chance for a loose connection that might create sparks and start a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that could ruin the appliance.
Greater vulnerability to water penetration that can cause electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.

When choosing an extension cord for temporary use, be sure it’s the appropriate gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the size for the cord. For example, a simple electrical extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord where a larger cord for a air conditioner unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also a factor. The longer the cord is, the more electricity is gone on the way, something referred to as voltage drop. Shorter 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 assume that you know how to operate your brand new appliance without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:

You should find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn about features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You understand if the appliance is safe for outdoor areas or not.

You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to use a home appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not in Use

You can reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED signals, timers and other energy-consuming features during standby times.

Unplug monitors, TVs, printers, modems, internet routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy consumption. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.

For extra tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Hialeah Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all major household appliances!

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