The appliances in a house often make life easier, but when you use appliances the wrong way, they might pose evident health risks. It is best to protect your appliances and make sure they will not turn into hazards by following these helpful appliance safety suggestions from F&D Huntington Beach Appliance Repair.
The professional tips in this post can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken household appliances. However, hazards can still occur. In the event an appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, hire a appliance repair Huntington Beach.
Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas are susceptible to moisture or water. As you are well aware, electricity and water don’t go together, that means power cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit if any imbalances in electricity arise.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets installed in wet rooms inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Huntington Beach. Then, for further safety measures, be sure to heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not meant for outdoor use.
Cords, Electronics & Outlets Far Away From Water
Quite a few home appliances are built for outdoor use, like barbecue grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all plugs and outlets are not wet. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Option
Extension cords pose several risks, including:
The potential for a loose connection that can lead to sparks and cause a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that may ruin the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that might result in electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is paired with a high-power appliance.
When deciding on an extension cord for temporary use, ensure that it’s the correct gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For instance, a basic electrical extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge cord where a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is gone on the way, a phenomenon referred to as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for electric tools and equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Purchase
It’s simple to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You will want to find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to stop overloading your current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise have known.
You discover whether the appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.
You don’t have the stress that can come from attempting to operate a new home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Are Not Using Them
You are able to reduce unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging small appliances when not in use. This is because small appliances often include LED lights, timers and other features standby times.
Unplug monitors, televisions, printers, modems, routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to limit unnecessary energy consumption. But remember, it is alright to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.
For extra tips on how to use appliances safely, or to call a local appliance repair service, please contact F&D Huntington Beach Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can fix all common home appliances!
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