The appliances in your house often make your life less stressful, but if you use appliances unsafely, they could pose evident health risks. You will want to protect your appliances and ensure that they don’t become dangers by following these appliance safety tips from Nifty Naperville Appliance Repair.
The tips in this article can help prevent fires and injuries due to broken home appliances. That being said, hazards could still occur. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, hire a local appliance repair Naperville.
GFCI Outlets in Damp Locations in Your Home
Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and outdoor areas can be susceptible to possible dampness or dripping water. As you well know, electricity and water don’t mix, so power cords should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
This will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit if any inconsistencies in power are detected.
If you don’t have GFCI outlets in wet locations around your home, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Naperville. Then, for even more safety, follow the warnings of manufacturer appliance manuals that indicate an appliance is not designed for outdoor areas.
Electrical Wires, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water
Quite a few appliances are specifically built for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers and freezers, power tools and more – monitor that all outlets and cords are 100% dry. Weatherproof electronics help with this, along with GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.
Extension Cords are a Temporary Solution
An extension cord poses a lot of evident risks, including:
The potential for a loose connection that might lead to sparks and start a fire.
The likelihood of power interruptions that will break the appliance.
Increased vulnerability to moisture penetration that can cause electrocution.
The probability of wires overheating and becoming a fire hazard when an low-quality extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.
When choosing an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure that it is the right gauge for the appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the bigger the size for the cord. For instance, a basic extension cord for a radio may have a 16-gauge wire while a longer cord for a window air conditioner uses a 12-gauge wire.
The length of the cord is also a factor. The longer the extension cord, the more power is used up on the way, also referred to as voltage drop. Short cords are good for power tools and similar equipment.
Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Buy
It’s simple to assume that you know how to use your new appliance without consulting the manual, but consulting the manufacturer instructions is important for several reasons:
You should find out if your house’s electrical wiring is sufficient to power the appliance. You may need to install a circuit to prevent overloading any current ones.
You learn more about complicated features you might not otherwise have known about.
You discover whether the appliance is intended for outdoor use or not.
You do not have the extreme frustration that can come from attempting to run a appliance with no instructions!
Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used
You can limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you aren’t using them. The reason is small appliances sometimes include LED lights, clocks and other features while in standby mode.
Unplug monitors, TVs, modems, printers, internet routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to reduce wasteful energy use. Just remember, it is OK to keep DVRs and similar items plugged in to not miss their automatic background features.
For more tips on ways to use home appliances safely, or to schedule a local appliance repair company, please contact Nifty Naperville Appliance Repair. We can fix all name brand household appliances!
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