Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances inside of your home can make life easier, but if you operate them unsafely, they could produce significant risks. You will want to care for appliances and make sure they will not become dangers by adhering to these helpful household appliance safety tips from Hub City Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. However, hazards can still happen. If a home appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair CITY.

Install GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations

Laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, mud rooms, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you are well aware, electricity and water do not mix, that means electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This type of outlet prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in electricity occur.

If you do not already have GFCI outlets in wet rooms inside of your home, now is the time to install them or call an electrician in CITY. Then, for further safety, be sure to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.

Cords, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas

Several appliances are built for outdoor use, like barbecue grills, for example. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, ice makers, power tools and others – monitor that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics can help with this, combined with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Momentary Answer

Extension cords pose a lot of noticeable risks, including:

The likelihood of loose connections that could create sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that might damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that might 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 determining an extension cord for temporary use, make sure it is the appropriate gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire size. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a garden tool could have a 16-gauge wire whereas a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit needs a 12-gauge wire.

Length is also important. The longer the cord, the more electricity is lost on the way, something called voltage drop. Short cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.

Read the Manual for Any Appliance You Buy

It’s simple to guess that you know how to use a brand new washing machine or dishwasher without consulting the manual, but consulting the instructions is important for several reasons:

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

You learn about advanced features you would not have otherwise known about.
You understand whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.

You avoid the frustration that can come from trying to use a new appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home if You Aren’t Using Them

You can limit unnecessary energy use by unplugging them when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED indicators, clocks and other energy-draining features during standby mode.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background features.

For more tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact Hub City Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all major household appliances!

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Cost
DIY Appliance Repair Tips
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts