The appliances in a home often make your life much easier, but when you operate household appliances unsafely, they might create significant health risks. It is best to care for appliances and make sure they won’t become dangers by following these household appliance safety tips from Hi-Tech Midlothian Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article will help to prevent fires and injuries from broken home appliances. That being said, hazards might still happen. In the event a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes dangerous, reach out to a professional appliance repair Midlothian.
Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations
Laundry rooms, kitchens, entry ways, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages can be susceptible to dampness or dripping water. Of course, electricity and moisture do not go together, therefore electrical cords and wires should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any interruptions in power arise.
If you do not currently have GFCI outlets in wet areas around your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Midlothian. Once that is done, for even more safety measures, follow the warnings of appliance manuals that note that they are not for outdoor areas.
Electrical Cords, Outlets & Electronics Away From Damp Areas
Quite a few appliances are specially designed for outdoor use, such as gas and charcoal grills. If you make us of any electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and others – ensure that all cords and outlets are dry. Using weatherproof electronics help with this, in addition to GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.
Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses several potential risks, this includes:
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it is the right gauge for the electrical equipment in question. The lower the gauge, the bigger the wire size. For example, a basic extension cord for a lamp will have a 16-gauge wire whereas a larger cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.
Length is also a factor. The longer the cord, the more electricity is used up enroute, also called voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.
Always Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It is easy to assume that you know how to use your brand new washing machine or dishwasher without reading the operating manual, but reading the manufacturer guidelines is important for many reasons:
You should find out if your house’s wiring is good enough to power the appliance. You may need to install a circuit to stop overloading your existing ones.
You learn about complicated features you would not have otherwise known about.
You understand if the new appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.
You avoid the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to use a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances in Your Home When Not Being Used
You can stop unnecessary energy consumption by unplugging them when not in use. This is because small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other energy-draining features while in standby mode.
Unplug TVs, computer monitors, routers, game systems, smart phone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy use. But remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to not miss their automatic background functions.
For even more tips on how to use appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Hi-Tech Midlothian Appliance Repair. We can fix all popular household appliances!
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