Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your home make your life easier, but when you use them unsafely, they could pose significant health risks. It is best to care for your appliances and be sure they won’t turn into dangers by following these helpful appliance safety suggestions from Crown Citrus Heights Appliance Repair.

The tips below can help prevent fires and injuries from broken kitchen appliances. Even still, hazards could still occur. In the event a home appliance has problems or begins to malfunction and becomes a safety risk, call a appliance repair Citrus Heights.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are susceptible to wetness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and moisture do not go together, so power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of outlet can prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power occur.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet areas inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Citrus Heights. Then, for additional safety measures, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that note that they are not meant for outdoor areas.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Water

Some home appliances are built for outdoor areas, such as charcoal and gas grills. If you use any electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, electric tools and more – monitor that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses a lot of potential risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that could result in sparks and a fire.
The possibility of power inconsistencies that would damage the appliance.
Greater susceptibility to water penetration that can lead to 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 short-term use, ensure it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a simple extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire where a bigger cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is gone on the way, something known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It’s easy to assume that you know how to use a new appliance without reading the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is important for many reasons:

You will find out whether your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the appliance. You may have to install a circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about complicated features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You understand if the appliance is OK for outdoor locations or not.

You do not have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from attempting to run a home appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not in Use

You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. This is because small appliances include LED signals, clocks and other energy-draining features standby times.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it’s a good idea to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to prevent missing out on their background features.

For more tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Crown Citrus Heights Appliance Repair. Our technicians can fix all major household appliances!

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