The appliances inside of your house make your life much less stressful, but if you operate them unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. It is best to care for appliances and make sure they will not become dangers by following these helpful appliance safety tips from Five Star Yakima Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article help to prevent fires and injuries related to broken appliances. Even still, hazards could still happen. If an appliance has issues or begins to malfunction and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Yakima.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to dampness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not mix, so electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity occur.
If you don’t already have GFCI outlets in damp rooms inside of your home, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Yakima. After that, for additional safety, heed the warnings of appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not for outdoor use.
Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Wet Areas
Many appliances are built for the outdoors, like barbecue grills, for example. If you have any electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – be sure that all of the outlets and cords are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are a Momentary Answer
Extension cords can pose many potential risks, including:
The potential for loose connections that might create sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power inconsistencies that would ruin the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that can lead to 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 deciding on an extension cord for short-term use, be sure that it’s the appropriate gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the larger the size for the wire. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a radio could have a 16-gauge cord where a longer cord for a air conditioner unit requires a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also crucial. The longer the extension cord is, the more power is lost enroute, this is known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are recommended for power tools and equipment.
Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s obvious to guess that you know how to use a new dishwasher or washing machine without reading the operating manual, but reading the guidelines is necessary for a lot of reasons:
You should find out whether your house’s electrical wiring is enough to support the appliance. You might need to install a better circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn more about features you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
You discover whether the appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You don’t have the extreme stress that can sometimes come from trying to use a home appliance without instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them
You can stop unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when you are not using them. The reason is small appliances include LED signals, timers and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug TVs, monitors, routers, game consoles, smart phone chargers and more to stop wasteful energy consumption. But remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.
For more tips on ways to use appliances safely, or to call a professional appliance repair service, please contact Five Star Yakima Appliance Repair. Our technicians can repair all popular home appliances!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts